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

My belt kept coming off of my snow blower , I looked and the pulleys dont line up.Investigating this I noticed that the shaft in the front was coming in and out of the gear box.About a inch and a half. Can some one help me with this. Thanks

When you post the message box should have a row of widgets.  The one third from the right is for inserting pictures.  You have to put the picture somewhere online and then click the box and list the address of where you put the picture.  The address is case sensitive.

What is the model number of your machine - the number off the back base of the machine?

Most models of power shifter are the same but....

   You gearbox should have no play if it's not damaged.  There is no room for movement in and out as you mentioned.  There's a front flange, the spiral worm and a snap ring holding in a string of parts back to the oil seal.  They can't move unless something is broken or off like the snap ring but that's only very thin so not much room to allow slop.  The spiral gear would also not allow movement unless stripped on it's helical gear. 

   It seems you were throwing snow until the belt fell off.  Is that right?   I don't see how you could have an inch plus movement of the shaft.  The auger drive shaft has the impeller pinned to it.  It can't move backward much as it would hit the wall of the intake housing.  ?? It can't move forward as the shaft end would have to break through the auger gearbox case so the movement must be all backward.  For that to happen the snap ring would have to be broken or off to allow the shaft to clip backwards, otherwise the sting of parts would take up all the room and for it to go back the case would have to break. 

   It's likely from what you are saying that you have at least a snap ring problem inside the gearbox. 

   If it's really moving around that much then your sprial may be chewing into the helical gear causing chips inside the gearbox.  The spiral is not going to move much without hitting helical gear teeth the wrong way and that causes chips. 

  The problem is not the pulley.  It's the gearbox end.  You need to find out why the shaft can move in and out.  If it's really moving that much inside the gearbox then you'll have to open it up.

This has made it clear ,thx   Sure enough the impeller and the pulley move in and out 1inch or better,this does mean its in the gear box,I can grab the shaft and pull it in and out of the gear box,impeller and pulley are moving to. When its running you can see that pulley just moving back and forth. I guess I could take it apart and see.Would be nice if it was that snap ring . Works great till the fan belt pops off.   Ok , Thank You very much, I no where to go from here." Your the man" I needed to talk to......

As I look at the parts diagrams,  The pulley that comes out of the gearbox is bolted to a very short flanged shaft,bearing and bevel gear.  This is not the problem.  Your problem is all about the impeller shaft.
If you and Trouts2 want a copy of the parts diagrams email me.

Yes, It is the propeller shaft ,but is there something wrong with the end of the shaft or in the gear box itself,,The gear box where the auger is. I have just checked out the diagram.Doesnt  look that bad to take apart. Will give a update tommorrow after I have taken this thing apart.Thanks  

Look and see if the impeller is bolted to the shaft or if its spinning on the shaft.  That would allow the shaft to move to the rear if its broken........I think

   The auger drive shaft should not move even if it's out of the snowblower so just the auger drive shaft with no other components attached.  The spiral worm teeth should be mated into the helical gear teeth which would keep it in place.  There is also the string of components locked in place with the clip. 

  I don't see how it could have worked given the sliding in and out.  Since it worked the spiral must have been catching the teeth of the helical gear.  That's probably because the lifting from the back by the pulley belt keeping the spiral contacting the last of the worn tips of the helical teeth.  The gearbox has to be messed up.  It will be interesting what he finds in there.  A picture would be nice. 

Good morning, I am about to start tearing the gearbox apart, With all your help I have a good idea what to expect. I will take some pics as I go. From the last post ,when I pull  the shaft in and out the shaft does turn also ,that worm gear is working. Here goes.....

It just occured to me.  I'm referring to transmission gearbox and your probably referring to the auger gearbox..That was easy enough.
We got 14" here last night, El Toro charged right thru it.

    

..Ok got the side of the gear box off and As you can see in the photos That snap ring is missing causing the back and forth movement. Thats the good news, The auger gear is ate up a little few teeth are missing,The worm drive on the shaft looks good. That second pics shows how I found it ,,that third is how its suppose to be. The forth one shows where that snap ring goes.Been a learning experience  and I thank you all for your help...The bad news,  there's  now 12 inches of snow in the drive way..I guess I have to get my other snowthrower out. The one that has a     "Wooden Handle" lol