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

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:

Just thought I would throw that out there about the concave bearings. 
My Ariens 924084 1032 has the concave bearings.  But I picked up a JD 1032D for parts a while back.  It tractor unit is identical to my Ariens but it has regular bearings for
the axles (non concave).  So after this season I'm going to swap out the bearing holders and put in new bearings.  Standard bearings are cheaper than the concave ones.

You can buy a roll of self stick aluminum tape at any hardware store and wrap the bearing as was suggested.  I have used it before on an axle worn down by the bearing.  Just put a couple of wraps on the
axle to snug up the bearing.  Not a permanent fix but will work for a while. 

I may have to use the old bearings for a while.  I just found out that my parts are back-ordered.