Poulan 30" 291cc snowblower, model P14530ES. Bought new in 2013, unknown hours but hard use.
Just started to move some snow today when I noticed the performance was down and that the augers were not cutting. Shear pins in place and the impeller was spinning, just no auger. Well [censored] I said, I bet that gear box let go. Well I ripped her down and pulled the box out. The input shaft had a pile of play but would occasionally engage the gear. At some point, either the seal failed or the bronze bearing failed, which allowed either or to self destruct. Most of the seal was worn away and the input bearing was completely worn through on one side. This this caused the input shaft to flop around with the worm hear almost flat spotted one side of the bronze gear.
A new complete gear box will run me around 330$ Canadian but seeing as this machine was 1000$ new and led a hard life, I am inclined to not put a pile of money back into it just yet. I priced out some new seals, and input bushing for about 50$ shipped. I found that the worm gear still engages the bronze gear when centered so I can live with that for the rest of the season. The other issue is the input shaft was lightly scored. I buffed down the ridges and will reinstall when I get some parts in the door.
I plan on getting some moly grease for assembly.
I always had reservations about this made in China sealed gear box but realistically, if I made this an annual tear down and inspection, I may have been able to keep it on the road.
Sorry for the bad pictures as I will get some better ones when I clean it up more.
Just started to move some snow today when I noticed the performance was down and that the augers were not cutting. Shear pins in place and the impeller was spinning, just no auger. Well [censored] I said, I bet that gear box let go. Well I ripped her down and pulled the box out. The input shaft had a pile of play but would occasionally engage the gear. At some point, either the seal failed or the bronze bearing failed, which allowed either or to self destruct. Most of the seal was worn away and the input bearing was completely worn through on one side. This this caused the input shaft to flop around with the worm hear almost flat spotted one side of the bronze gear.
A new complete gear box will run me around 330$ Canadian but seeing as this machine was 1000$ new and led a hard life, I am inclined to not put a pile of money back into it just yet. I priced out some new seals, and input bushing for about 50$ shipped. I found that the worm gear still engages the bronze gear when centered so I can live with that for the rest of the season. The other issue is the input shaft was lightly scored. I buffed down the ridges and will reinstall when I get some parts in the door.
I plan on getting some moly grease for assembly.
I always had reservations about this made in China sealed gear box but realistically, if I made this an annual tear down and inspection, I may have been able to keep it on the road.
Sorry for the bad pictures as I will get some better ones when I clean it up more.