QuestionQUESTION: Hi -- I have a Sears Craftsman 536.887990 9 HP/29 " Dual Stage Snowthrower. During our last big snowstorm, I lent my machine to my neighbor, and he pushed it a little too hard. I believe the
problem started when the spring pins holding the impeller apparently sheared off or fell out. The impeller slid down the shaft and into the spinning augers, and everything ground to a halt. I have since replaced the spring pins and have the impeller back where it belongs, but now when I try to use it, the impeller turns but the auger doesn't. I thought the dropping impeller had broken the auger shear pins, but that is apparently not the case -- I removed them (I actually had to break one
to get it out,maybe it was partly sheared in the first place), but the other one looked fine? Anyway, I have two questions -- first, with NO shear pins in there at all, I can easily spin one side of the auger (which makes sense), but I can't move the other side at all -- is this probably just a rust issue, or could anything else make that happen? I sprayed some WD-40 in there and will try again tomorrow. I assume I can't damage anything by trying to force it to spin if it's not attached to anything.
Secondly, from looking through other answers I am now pretty sure the problem is in the gearbox (my guess is that when the impeller dropped into the "stuck in place" auger it somehow broke some teeth and/or stripped the gear. My other question is whether this makes sense, and whether I would have to replace the whole gearbox, or just the impeller shaft, or anything else you think it might be. And how difficult would it be to disassemble and resassemble the gearbox? Thanks!! Sorry for being so long-winded.
ANSWER: Hello Mike:
>>No Worries. It is Better for me to have too much Information to Base my Answer on than Not Enough.
>>From your Through Description it Does Sound like a Gear Box/Case Problem.
>>There is a Woodruff Key (#316) Inside the Gear Box/Case that may have Sheared Also.
>>I Suggest you Dis-assemble the Gear Box/Case and Check for Damaged Components and Replace what is Required to Repair the Gear Box/Case Properly.
>>To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action?sid=PSHx20080114x00001 and Enter the Model Numbers 536.887990 and Click Search. From this Page you can View Diagrams and Parts Lists. Select the "Gear Case" Picture and this will take you to a Breakdown of the Gear Box/Case.
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 5 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi -- thanks for the advice so far. I finally got around to this, and made some progress, but I'm having trouble accessing the gearbox. I've completely separated the auger housing from the body of the machine and then removed the auger pulley and bolts holding the auger assembly to the
housing. Now it seems like I should be able to just slide the whole assembly (auger blades, gearbox, and impeller) out of the housing, but haven't been able to do it. Is there something else I need to take
apart? From what I can see, as well as the parts diagrams, it looks like this whole mess should just slide out. But there is a ball bearing retainer and a ball bearing that won't fit though the opening and I can't figure out how to remove them. Could parts just be rusted/frozen together? I don't see anything else I can even loosen or take apart to make it easier. Thanks in advance.
AnswerHello Again Mike:
>>No Worries. I am Glad to Help all I can.
>>Did you Sandpaper (440 Grit or Emory Cloth) the Shaft before trying to Pull the Gearbox out of the Auger Housing Bearing?
>>Did you Remove the Square Key that keeps the Pulley from Turning on the Shaft?
>>This is a Machined Fit and will be Hard to Remove.
>>Usually if you Sand the Shaft and use Plenty of Spray Lubrication, the Shaft will Slip Out of the Bearing by Prying/Pressing the Shaft through the Bearing. I use a 6" Pulley Puller that has Slots (similar to a Steering Wheel Puller) and Instead of using the Puller Attachments, I use Long Bolts and Attach the Puller to the Housing where the Mounting Bolts go.
>>Now Carefully Press the Shaft Out of the Bearing. ***Make Sure you keep the Shaft and Bearing as True as Possible when Pressing the Shaft out.***
>>It is Easier to Remove the Gearbox if the Unit is Disassembled and the Augers are Removed from the Gearbox before Removing the Gearbox from the Housing.
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 5 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
