MTD Snowblower Doesn't Move - HOW to FIX!

Step by Step Tutorial!

In today's video, we'll be looking at a YardMachines snowblower (MTD) that won't move forward or back!

The reason this happens is due to the roller bearings seizing up. These bearings are located inside the gears that mount on the drive axle.

*If you contact MTD customer service & tell them you're experiencing this issue, they may send you an MTD Drive Repair Kit Part # 75305173A at no cost. However, this issue can still occur, as the new kit is identical to the old parts.*

Once we drained the oil, flipped it up and removed the access panel, we can begin our disassembly.

Following the steps in this video, you'll be able to remove both the upper and lower axles, to gain access at the gear bearings.

You don't have to remove both gears, however, I recommend cleaning and lubricating both gears! As you'll see in the video, even though the upper gear still rotated on the shaft, once we removed it we could see it didn't have any lubrication inside of it (Meaning this issue would have happened again).

I also replaced both outer bearings for the lower axle as well.

Once everything was cleaned, we greased the bearings using Roller Bearing specific grease (It's super sticky and won't come out as easy).

We then reassemble everything, and lubricate both axles.

After these steps are completed, we use Oil and Grease remover to wipe down the friction wheel and drive disc, to ensure there is no slippage of the friction wheel when driving!

If you follow the steps in this video, this repair should take you anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete. You may also need a wide range of tools to complete this repair.

MODEL NUMBER: 31AE6FHF552

PART NUMBERS;

Upper Gear: 917-04025A

Complete Transmission Rebuild Kit: 753-05173A

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MUSIC:

Intro/Outro Music: Burnt - Jingle Punks

[EliminatorPerformance]

The roller bearings can be pressed out and replaced if they are too badly damaged. The roller bearing part numbers are SCE1211 (2 for the wider gear) and SCE1214 (1 for the narrow gear).

I've also heard you may need an SCE1212 and SCE1210 so please measure and research.

Cheaper than buying a Drive Repair Kit - MTD Part # 75305173A

This video just shows you how to repair the issue without replacing the gears. Thanks for watching everyone!

[RonWard-ih]

Fantastic detail!! This video was critical to giving me the confidence to try and complete this repair, (successfully). Thanks so much for your efforts in creating and sharing this fix.

[gregd.]

Where were you the last 52 times I had to repair my machine??? Best explaination of the process I have ever heard.

[AceDublB]

Absolutely one of the best produced and informative snowblower repair videos on YouTube. Thank you very much for your professional work.

[JohnFesta-eb]

Excellent video explaining in detail how to properly maintain and repair this snowblower. Great suggestions and details of what to do and not to do. Thanks!

[brucesimms]

Your work is to a high standard. Your customers are fortunate.

[mattmeyers]

I've got to do the same repair this year. It's 19 years old, and the bearings are finally toast. The video is one of the best "How-To" videos I have ever seen involving small engine repairs. Thank You, and wish me luck!

[hfaldreteful]

Best video I’ve seen yet for this snowblower. Watched multiple videos and troubleshot my snowblower and not a single video addressed this issue. Thank you!!!

[frankcastle]

95% of all snowblowers found in America came out of assorted MTD plants. The one in this vid is about the most basic you can get your hands on. They are dirt cheap to repair..easy to work on...decent build quality...and the Tecumseh Snow King motor is legendary. They really are very good for what they are and cheap and plentiful to find used.

[mathieulabrosse]

Man you dont know me but this is exactly my snowblower model, and I had this exact issue. Took all the gear out, cleaned them, greased them, and put them back, and everything works now. You just saved me like 2k from buying a new snowblower. I cant thank you enough, your videi was amazing and I couldnt have done the repair without it!!

[jaco]

This is THE BEST instructional video I have ever seen. Every step explained.

[acg]

Thanks for the video. My machine had the same bearing problem. Watching the video made the repair a breeze.

[richmartin]

I am not The Most Mechanically Inclined Person, But at times I Can Be.
But Due to Your Incredibly thorough video, I followed you Steps 1 By 1 and Found the Lower Axle Bearing, which is the Exact One That was Seized in the Video.
I ended up removing it and Used a Old Family remedy to Remove the rust, Which I couldn’t believe it Worked because the Roller Bearings were All completely Seized with Solid Rust, But after 20-30 minutes of Soaking, I used an old Tooth Brush and Spent about 5 Minutes Brushing the Rust Out and it Completely took all the Rust off and The Roller Bearing Rolled Just Like Brand New!!!!
I Greased Everything Back Up And Reassembled the Unit Step by Step and it Actually Moves and Works better than Brand New!!!!
It Cost me Less Than $10 for Brake Cleaner and Marine Grease and a Gun!!
It Took Me About 3 Hours to complete and SINCERELY WANT TO THANK YOU!!!
I Appreciate the time you put into your video, Because It Was Priceless to Me.
Keep up the Great Work
Thanks, Rich

[DoubleVideos]

My local parts store, replaces that gear set with a brass bushing, which has of course the same inside and outside measurements as the original needle bearings. As you can see, there is no way to properly maintain those needle bearings. They are buried in there. As seen in this outstanding video, the only way to properly prevent this is to remove the gear sets out of the machine and press grease into them. Spraying from the outside will not get the grease in there.
I've pressed out the original seized bearing set and pressed in the brass bushing. It will never seize again, with a brass bushing in there.
Thank you for such a detailed and precise explanation of what you did. Truly one of the best tutorials I have seen on all of Youtube.

[alfries]

This video is one of the most detailed and best videos on the subject I've ever seen. Great job on that unit, glad to see someone who puts grease as a preventative measure.

[craigd]

great video. my Troy bilt has the same issue, i pulled it apart and was able to get the needle bearing numbers off of my bearing races, they are usa made bearings and readily available, Wide gear uses SCE1211 bearing x2, thinner gear on the axle takes bearing SCE1214, hope this helps some people because MTD is really hosing people selling the whole gear, also the bearings easily come out with a press or just a hammer and bearing driver, the bearings price out at under 10 bucks each

[joeyoungs]

Outstanding and concise tutorial, well done young man. This is now on my spring to do list.

[oscars]

Excellent video. Thanks for being so thorough with your explanations. I saved at least $250.00 by doing the repair myself following your instructions. I must've watched the video like 40 times before feeling comfortable with opening up the bottom of the machine and another 12 times while I was working on it. Thanks again.

[sampye]

Just repaired my MTD blower with this same problem. Toughest part was getting the gear off the wheel axle even after removing the rust from the axle. Both bearings on both axles and one of the outside bearings seized all at the same time, 3 out of 4. Now they’re all greased and working again. Thx for this video great job!

[greggb]

I am woefully late to viewing this video, but it is an excellent informative and very well narrated.
Thank you sir.