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

Ariens 1974 910019 tractor for 24" 6hp snowblower. While in service position and replacing the friction disc, I note that I also have a problem with the bushing/bearing that is on the right wheel. It is broken off and just kind of hnging on the wheel axle. There is obviously some play. Looks like about a $5 part but I do not see how to get to it. It is a differential model but it is the wheel on the non-differential side. Can anyone help with some direction or instruction on getting to this to replace it? Thanks.

If you don't have them already, get some roll pin punches. I had regular, flat-faced punches previously. Before I started taking apart the axle on my ~1993 Ariens ST824, I bought a set of these, $20 at Sears:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943167000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

They've been working great. The little nubs in the center keep them centered in the roll pins. Which lets you hammer them nice and hard to drive the pins out, without worrying about the punches slipping off the pins. Some of mine were fairly tight, it was nice to not have to worry about the punches slipping. You may want to let the roll pins sit a bit with some penetrating oil on them before driving them out, if possible. I've tried to put a bit of grease on the new ones before putting them back in.

RedOctobyr wrote:
Ditto.  I recommend these as well.  This is a good price.  I purchased some at Harbor Freight for about half the price as the Craftsman ones.  Go with the Craftsman, for a few bucks more.  The HF ones are essentially disposable.  I used them once and they are disintegrating.  Too brittle.

Plus, Craftsman has a lifetime warranty on all hand tools.

Helpful hint.
When driving those pins out.  Be careful not to get the drift punch stuck in the hole.  I good way to keep that from happening it to spin the punch in the hole a little after each blow with the hammer.
Doing that lets you know if it's starting to get stuck, before it really gets stuck.  The pin on the right side of the axle is where you can have the problem.
A piece of solid brass or bronze rod works really well for driving the pin down flush with the axle before using the drift punch.  Doing that eliminates the possibility of spreading the pin when you first start driving it down. 

Great Pics  trouts2