Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I posted this on GardenWeb a few days ago, without much success.  Perhaps someone here can offer some advice:

I am trying to get the Aluminum gear case halves apart on my late 80s ST824. The halves are not sealed together (all bolts securing the halves together are removed), but there seems to be something internal holding the case together.  I am not trying too hard, because the aluminum doesn't seem too robust, but there is definitely some resistance.
I remember something about driving out a pin through a drain or fill hole, but I can't see it yet.
Any ideas for direction?
Thanks in advance. At the rate I'm going, I might even be able to use this spare SnoThro this season.
Ralph

What is the model number that goes along with the ST824? Do you have a parts diagram for that model? If not go to Parts Radar at the Ariens web page and see if their expoded parts diagram helps. You will want to find the model number to narrow it down as I saw 2 or three ST824s listed. I didn't look to see if their parts appeared to be different between the models listed.

Also Firepaw was great at posting blow ups of blowers but has not made the move from the old forum yet that I can tell.  Also Snowmann is Paul Koltz who is an Ariens engineer of snowblowers (I think he might be lead man now?) and he stops in to read posts but has not been by in a few days.  I would start with Jonathan's idea first though.  Also is there a dealer near by you can talk to?

C 

hi ralph,

if there are any ,did you remove the line-up pins that are on the flanges of the 2 halves ? they sometimes are stubborn to remove. the tranny on my tractor has aluminum halves and just lightly tapping on the pins with a punch loosened them enough to seperate.

just a thought,

bill

It's most likely only the anaerobic sealant holding the halves together (if there's no fibrous gasket between the halves). I don't recall us ever having "line-up" pins. If you can give me your model number and serial number I can check for sure.

PK

 RalphS,

    Snowman is the lead engineer from Ariens. If any one knows, he does!!

                                                                                                  Fred 

After a little more gentle prying and "stuck gasket" hint from snowman, the halves are now separate.  At first look, the gears appear OK, although it is really messy with the case lube nice and thick at 10 degrees F. 

I found what I think are two followers ( round steel "buttons") inside  the case. 

 When I clean it up a little more I will have a better idea as to why the augers and impeller rotated independently.  The original owner didn't perform much maintenance and the augers rusted onto the shaft (so much for shear pins).  I have only removed one auger so far, and that one was pretty tight. I suspect that something may have sheared inside the case but I will know soon. 

This SnoThro is a late 80s ST824 with the paint peeling off in sheets, unfortunately lots of the paint and model number / serial number label are long gone.   Any info as to the m/n of this auger assy would be helpful, that way I can go to the Parts Radar and see what parts I may be missing. 

Thanks again to all for your suggestions. 

Ralph 

Ralph that late 80's ST is built like the Pro's of today if I am not mistaken.  It would be great if you can fix it up.....

C