Impeller Replacement - 44" 79361 Toro Snowblower

[BrianH 1]

Hi all,

First post here for me.  I have a WH 520H tractor running a Toro model 79361 2-stage Snowblower.  I bent my impeller and need to swap it out.  I assumed that if I removed the side housing plates for the auger, the auger assembly and impeller would just pull straight out the front as a unit.  I can't get the impeller shaft free of the rear sprocket that drives it though.  I've removed all the set screws.  What am I doing wrong here?  Is the impeller driveshaft just stuck on the sprocket or am I going about this the wrong way?  Any help you guys can provide would REALLY be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Brian

 

 

[Achto 27,512]

 

@WHX?? had one of these apart not too long ago, maybe he can provide some insight.

[roadapples 6,983]

I'd be trying to straighten that without disassembly 

Edited December 20, 2021 by roadapples

[BrianH 1]

I really don't know how I would straighten that "in place".  Lots in the way and not much room to work....

 

 

Brian

[bc.gold 3,403]

The key is stuck in the keyway, polish the end of the shaft use a bit of heat on the sprocket, couple of pry bars placed against wood blocks to give you purchase.

 

Once the sprocket is off remove the key then remove any burrs on the shaft making it easier to shove through the bearing.

 

[BrianH 1]

Update on my progress...I got the sprocket off of the impeller driveshaft.  A lot of effort but it came off.  I expected to just be able to push the impeller driveshaft out through the bearing toward the front of the snowblower but the shaft doesn't want to push through.  I removed the grub screw on the bearing, thinking that was holding it to the shaft.  There are two holes but there was only a grub screw in one of them.  Not sure what the other hole was for?  I'm not sure what to do to get the black part in the picture (part of the bearing assembly?) to release from the driveshaft.  Any ideas?

 

 

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

8 minutes ago, BrianH said:

Any ideas

 

That appears to be the type of bearing that clinches down on the shaft.

 

One would put a punch in the extra hole and using a hammer rotate the collar to release the bearing from the shaft.

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[BrianH 1]

Thanks Jeff, I will try that today and update the group with the results.

 

Brian

[BrianH 1]

So Jeff, going off of that video, I would strike the punch in the opposite direction of shaft rotation to loosen it right?

 

Brian

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

1 hour ago, BrianH said:

So Jeff, going off of that video, I would strike the punch in the opposite direction of shaft rotation to loosen it right?

 

Brian

 

Yes, I believe that's correct.  

 

Spray it down real good with some PB Blaster.  You might need to go back and forth with the punch a bunch to get it to loosen up.  Work it baby! 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[BrianH 1]

Well, that worked like a champ Jeff.  I have the cam lock bearing off.  I started to pull the auger assembly off and the bearing got stuck with about 1/2" of the driveshaft still sticking out the back.  There must have been a burr or some debris on the shaft that has gotten hung up in the inner race of the bearing.  Not sure now how to get the rest of the bearing off the driveshaft.  I don't own a bearing puller and I'm not sure there's enough room in there for one anyway.

 

Brian

[wallfish 16,986]

Tap the bearing back on the shaft some, take a file and clean up the shaft. It's probably getting stuck where there are distortions on the shaft from the set screws. And any rust.

[Handy Don 12,170]

15 hours ago, wallfish said:

Tap the bearing back on the shaft some, take a file and clean up the shaft. It's probably getting stuck where there are distortions on the shaft from the set screws. And any rust.

Moved post to the right thread!

Edited December 29, 2021 by Handy Don

[BrianH 1]

I tried that John using a socket that was the right size for the bearing.  It didn't want to move.  Good idea though.

 

Brian

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

2 hours ago, BrianH said:

I tried that John using a socket that was the right size for the bearing.  It didn't want to move.  Good idea though.

 

Brian

 

I think you're going to have to push the impeller / auger assembly back in while you tap the bearing back onto the shaft.

 

I might try doing this with ratchet straps.  Rig them up in such a way so as to put pressure on the assembly, then when you tap, the shaft should pop out so you can clean it up.

[BrianH 1]

I didn't think of using ratchet straps Jeff. That's a good idea.  I'll give that a shot.

 

Brian