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

Looking for instructions on how to change the drive disc on a toro snow thrower.  It looks like I need to take EVERYTHING apart to replace this part. 

What you have said makes sense given the worn spacer. Usually drive problems that can not be adjusted out happen from slop somewhere in the assembly that moves the friction disk up like the supports for the pivot shaft, bearings for the hex shaft or the friction disk support. You could search around for a similar spacer but washers should work, could probably find thrust washers at a hardware store. A long shot to check is that the reverse drive plate is pinned to the right spot, that it has not shifted and now rust frozen on. You have probably checked the other thrust washers by the bearing. Since you have everything disassembled it would be a good time to change out the axle bearing (31). They are a common wear part and given the age of the machine it is probably ready.

a local Toro guy had a spacer on the shelf (imagine that) for $7.  After replacing the spacer, there was still a bit if wiggle in the drive shaft.  It appears that having had some amount of wiggle in the shaft caused the bolt that goes through the rear plate and drive shaft (to position the rear plate) to 'keyhole' the bolt hole.  Added 1 washer to the whole thing, there is now little to no back and forth play and the transmission is back in action.  The repair manual to which you sent me a link was helpful.  Glad to have a copy of that!  If and when this fix fails, we'll replace that drive assembly (pulley-drive shaft-reverse plate).  Thanks all for the help.

Dan 

Good going kdez! At $82.00/hr., Just think of how much money you saved.

more than that, I just love doing this type of work.  I am trying to convince my buddy to go with the clarence impeller kit. . .it really made a difference with my Ariens.  We had snow last night, but no accumulation on the driveway.  Damn!