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

My belt broke, and I put the pulley back on and it broke another belt and the key, I called Simplicity, they said the pulley in the manual is on backwards. So I changed the pulley to be opposite the manual specs and am concerned as the Drive Shaft moves left and right, causing the pulley to rub up against the drive shaft housing, which in turn wore a groove in the pulley.. I looked closely under the Chain Guard and don't see any sort of bushing to go between the Drive shaft sprocket and the housing nor is there a spacer of any kind between where the pulley sets on the drive shaft. Seems the drive shaft moves back in forth in the housing causing the pulley to rub on the drive shaft housing. What am I missing here? I am a girl, but try my best at mechanical duties (even though I don't like it) Any suggestions would be appreciated!