QuestionQUESTION: I'm trying to replace the drive cable on a MTD Snowblower (model 31AS3CAD516) but having trouble getting the cable out of the body housing. The housing hole is big enough but the bracket it snaps into under the housing is too close to the hole and there isn't room to get the spring up, or the bracket down. I can cut the old cable, but I need to figure it out so I can get the new one in.
Thanks,
leon.
ANSWER: Are you able to find you model number on MTD's website so you can see the parts list and owner's manual.
MTDProducts.com
Let me know.
Eric
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DriveCable
QUESTION: Thanks for the extremely quick response Eric.
Sorry that the question wasn't clear.
I already have the new cable (plus manuals). The problem is installing it, which neither the owner manuals, nor the parts list, cover.
How do I get the old cable off and the new cable on?
Do I have to disassemble part of the body housing?
As mentioned above, the cable does not seem to fit through the hole in the housing with it assembled. I've attached an image of the cable with the clip just outside the hole. Inside the hole you can see the bracket the clip snaps into. The bracket is too close to the housing to get the clip down through the hole or the spring on the end up through the hole.
ANSWER: Many times you can loosen the parts but sometimes you have to completely remove the bracket. When we replace cables such as yours we drain out as much fuel as possible, then start are run the remaining fuel from the engine. After the fuel is out, we stand up the blower using the bucket. Hard to describe but when we work on the drive system the handles are facing up, toward the ceiling. This allows you to remove the bottom metal/placstic cover to access the drive parts.
Have you removed the lower drive cover? This should allow access to the inner bracket which you may have to remove to install the cable.
Let me know if you have removed the cover.
Eric
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QUESTION: I haven't removed any housing parts yet. I was hoping there would be some trick to getting the cable out.
This should be a 2 minute job. To force you to disassemble the housing just to get a cable through a hole that is slightly too small is incredibly poor design by the manufacturers.
I can get handle it now.
Thank-you very much for your assistance!
AnswerI agree with you...sotrt of a PITA to replace the cable. Typically we prefer to sell and service products that are well designed...that is you don't have to dis-assemble half the unit to replace common wearable items that you know well eventually break.
I guess I gotten used to working on the MTDs...just drain the fuel, flip the unit up on the bucket and remove the bottom cover to expose the drive system. After several hundred repairs it just becomes second nature. If you think the cable is a pain, try replacing some of the Toro paddles on the single stage. What looks like a 5 minute job turns into an hour including a battle of patients.
While your in the drive system, check the rubber disc for wear.
Eric
