26'' Auger Gearbox Assembly 918-04172C

1. Empty oil and gas from snow blower (it will leak once you flip it over to make the repair).
2. Remove upper plastic cowling from snow blower, then flip over and remove the metal housing/cover to gain access to the under body gears that are driven by the motor. This is where a single screw is anchored into the auger drive shaft ( ... Read more which passes through the snow blower intake area where the auger meets the snow).
3. Take a picture of the drive-wheel area before you start removing parts (just to ensure you know how to put it back). Release springs that hold the drive wheel friction (this makes gaining access to the screw that holds the auger drive shaft MUCH easier). Be careful not to lose screws or springs as you break it down.
4. Locate the single screw, located above the drive pulley, and loosen the screw. it will slowly allow the auger drive shaft to slide out....but you may need to pull the auger shaft with force, pending on how long it\'s been there, or bent parts, etc. The space to get your wrench in there is painfully small - - this is where a set of needle nose vice grips may be handy (to hold the bolt so that it doesn\'t fall into the housing area...which is hard to recover.
5. Remove the tines from the old auger shaft, and replace them onto the new shaft EXACTLY how you took them off the old one. This must be done before you re-install the auger. Remove the side supports as well - these also must be in-place before you re-install the new auger shaft into the drive port. Set the old/broken shaft aside (it\'s junk).
6. Insert the new auger shaft into the same port, taking care to \"seat\" it correctly into both the drive shaft hole, and the pre-formed inset found within the drive pulley. If you find it\'s sitting a bit cockeyed, you\'re not seated fully....slowly rotate either the shaft or drive wheel pulley until they full seat FLAT. Once you get this, start to thread the bolt into the shaft. As you tighten, ensure everything is aligned before you fully tighten).
7. Tighten EVERYTHING you removed TIGHT. These things tend to vibrate themselves apart...do yourself a favor and crank-down on the bolts you\'re replacing (but don\'t over-torque or strip).
8. Replace all housing covers. Add oil. Add a small amount of gas. Test run it. There should be no rubbing inside the auger housing, or 1st or 2nd stage tines/blowers. If you\'re good, you\'re good...if not, see step#1 and do it again.
9. Good luck. It\'s not a super complicated job, but absolutely a pain the #$!.