Snow Blower Bearing/Shaft Keeper Adjustment

[echoffmann 2]

I have a 42ST01 blower on a 1995 520H. Last year I blew a chain, the shaft shifted to the left (as sitting on it) and rubbed on the carriage bolts for the bearing seat. I freed the allen set screws on the bearing keeper shown in the image. I can't find anything on how to set this or adjust it. If I try to tighten the set screws, the shaft is out of center and shakes. If I leave them loose, smooth as butter and the shaft seems to center with the smooth part inside that collar. You can see in the photo I can slide the shaft to the right a ways. Does this collar lock the shaft, does it go in the smooth portion showing? Any tips are greatly appreciated!

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

3 hours ago, echoffmann said:

Does this collar lock the shaft

 

I believe that the collar turns and locks onto the shaft.

 

Is there another hole in the collar, without a setscrew?  If so, you put a punch in that hole and use a hammer to turn the collar to lock onto the shaft, then tighten the set screw.

 

I think they call it a 'cam lock' bearing or some such.

 

This video may help:

 

I don't believe the shaft should be 'stepped' as in your picture though:

 

 

It sorta looks like that bearing has been loose for a long time and wore the shaft down.  You may be looking at a more extensive repair job.

 

Check out   https://thebigbearingstore.com/

 

I've purchased a bunch of stuff from them and satisfied with the price and quality.

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032]

The shaft should be 3/4" diameter on this 1978 model.

In 1987 they went to a 7/8" shaft.

 

The collar on the bearing is rotated on the shaft in the same direction the shaft rotates in operation until tight and the set screw is tightened. The collar ensures the shaft does not spin inside the bearing.

 

Perhaps the bearing is starting to fail?

[ri702bill 8,283]

All:

I for one am NOT a fan of eccentric lock style shaft collars - they have to be installed correctly for direction as Gary stated, and they do NOT tolerate vibration well at all over time. Seen that all too many times over the years as a Machine Design Engineer - we flat out would not use them in any of our products.

Bill

[peter lena 8,580]

@echoffmann agree with @ri702bill on the lock collar type of bearing . you are actually in a good easy to get at spot , for a refit. bolted flange bearings , a new shaft  , also do a lubrication upgrade on your bearings , that is a major failure area . lucas x-tra heavy duty , made for hi heat and stress , get some . do a detail rebuild , lubricate and enhance every stage , that assembly should spin up easily . your chute base is reflective of  needing care / service , I have the same blower . spins up by hand . pete

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

bolted flange bearings , a new shaft

 

Which is what I did to mine.  

 

@echoffmann

Don't know if anything in my thread will help you, but take a look see about the bearings, in case you have to replace them.  There's a good pic of what I did in post #19.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[peter lena 8,580]

@Jeff-C175 perfect example of what it should be , those bolt on flange bearings , are so simple and so rugged , it just makes sense to do it . combine them with a hi temp / high stress grease , and it will easily live on . when i did mine , the other hang up was the belt tension spring set up driving that , solid rust and no lubrication , long gone , it spins up so easily , just kept tweaking on it , pete

[echoffmann 2]

On 11/29/2021 at 10:07 AM, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Which is what I did to mine.  

 

@echoffmann

Don't know if anything in my thread will help you, but take a look see about the bearings, in case you have to replace them.  There's a good pic of what I did in post #19.

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking this is the route I'll have to take, thank you for the thread!

[echoffmann 2]

On 11/29/2021 at 4:16 AM, gwest_ca said:

The shaft should be 3/4" diameter on this 1978 model.

In 1987 they went to a 7/8" shaft.

 

The collar on the bearing is rotated on the shaft in the same direction the shaft rotates in operation until tight and the set screw is tightened. The collar ensures the shaft does not spin inside the bearing.

 

Perhaps the bearing is starting to fail?

I tried that and pretty sure SOMETHING has failed. The collar never gets tight, just free spins. Thanks for the direction...looking like a more extensive repair, or watch for a replacement.

[lynnmor 7,302]

1 hour ago, echoffmann said:

I tried that and pretty sure SOMETHING has failed. The collar never gets tight, just free spins. Thanks for the direction...looking like a more extensive repair, or watch for a replacement.

The shaft is the wrong size or worn, if that is not the case the bearing is wrong.