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

I have a Simplicity I75246E snowblower. I was using it today and the auger drive belt came off. When I went to put the belt back on the pulley, I noticed that there was about 1/2" of play in the pulley. By this, I mean that I can move the whole assembly (pulley, impeller, and shaft to auger gear box) back to front horizontally a good 1/2". The worm shaft actually slides in/out of the auger gear box. All of the bolts seem to be tight. The belt/pulley has worn a small groove in the plastic belt cover, so I'm assuming that something is worn or broken. Any suggestions on what parts or adjustments I should be looking at? Sorry if my terminology and descriptions are confusing. I'm mechanically inclined, but have very limited experience with snowblowers. Thanks

>>>There was a little grease on the gears, but the bulk of it was pooled in the bottom of the case. Temps of -30 to -40F are not uncommon here. It just seemed stiff even in my unheated garage which is warmer than outside temp. I'll see if I can order some L3. Is the Snapper 1704636 worm gear oil similar?

    Synthetic 75W-140 GL5 MT-1 hypoid gear oil is -50 capable.  L3 is synthetic 75W-140 GL5.  The Snapper lub is “cold weather”, synthetic oil and probably 75W-140 GL5 also.  Ariens is ok and the Snapper also.

    

>>>What exactly should the worm gear tooth profile be? Should the top of the tooth be flat or have a slight saddle where the worm drive contacts it?

   There is a slight concave run on the top of teeth.  The wear is indicated by the thickness of the concave flat on the top of the teeth.  The tops should be smooth and unscratched.

 

>>>It looks like the pin is fine but the thrust collar definitely has scoring on it from rubbing on the now flangeless bushing.

  The collar is pinned to the shaft which with good parts has slight front to back movement.  I’m not sure about collar contact with the flange surface.  The worm is on the top of the gear and pulling forward as it moves the gear so probably no contact between flange and collar under load. You’ve ordered a collar so no issue.

 

>>Are the collar pins re-usable?

   Unless you took a hit I’d re-use it.  The pin is 3/16 x 1 ½ so you can pick that up locally.

Parts are ordered. Thank you so much for your assistance. I really appreciate it!

Every snowblower I service if the diff has gear oil I added gear oil IF IT HAS GREASE I ADD GEAR OIL to soften the grease. I see this all the time The grease has cupped or hardened and you have stripped gears. Very stupid idea putting grease vs gear oil in the diff. Just another way our manufactures got lazy and cheap. Oh you better use the proper grease or you will be doing the diff again in a few years. Next time it will take you half the time to do the diff.

I've always just used 90W gear lube and never had a problem. It box might ooze a little around the seals in the summer when it's hot out. But never had a problem when is get cold.
I've never really understood how any type of grease is supposed to work in a gear box that is exposed to freezing cold temperatures and sometimes surrounded by snow and ice.
It just doesn't seem like it could be anywhere near fluid enough in those conditions to keep the gears and shafts properly lubricated.