I've repainted my blower housing, impeller, auger and chute (pictures to come) and replaced the impeller bearing and got the engine purring like a kitten. I've got the whole thing back together...almost, when I notice that there is some play in the axle where it penetrates the tractor housing. I was going to address the tractor in the off-season but with no snow in the foreseeable future and backup equipment available just in case, I'm thinking of replacing the bearings and any related h/w.
My problem is twofold. How to disassemble the drive axle and how to identify what needs replacing. I can't tell if the wear is in the housing or the washer that fills the opening or the bearing or the bearing retainer or all of the above. When I put the blower on the housing and remove the bottom plate, I wiggle the axle and see some movement in the space between the housing and the washer and possibly between the axle and the bearing.
Looks like I'm going to have to disassemble it to know for sure. Anyone who has been down this road, feel free to share your experiences.
The parts I was looking to replace, according to the parts manual:
(2) 05417700 Bearing-Ball 1.45 x 2.19 x 0.63
(2) 06417000 Washer-Flat-Steel 1.140 x 1.718 x 0.134
Here's the starboard side:
Here's the port side but the bearing area is not visible:
This message was modified Jan 8, 2012 by manjestic
