Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I've got an Ariens 824 that I bought new in 2002 which until recently has served me well.  Late last season, it seemed that the drive was "slipping" in that you could hold down the drive lever, but you'd have to give it a push to get it moving.  Also, it would not pull through deeper snow - it would just sit there.   Additionally, it didn't seem to throw the snow as far as it used to.

I pulled the bottom pan and found that the rubber friction disc was totally gone.  The aluminum drive disc to which the friction disc engages is scored up pretty badly fom the metal-to-metal contact with the wiped out friction disc.

It seems that the rubber friction disc is pretty easy to replaced based on the instructions in the manual.  To do this right, I will need to replace the aluminum drive disc as well.  I can't find any instructions anywhere on how to do this, and in looking at it on the machine I can't see how that disc can be removed.  In operating the handle that engages the drive, I can see that the disc moves toward the rubber friction disc - the hexagonal shaft with the aluminum disc slides out from the belt-driven pulleys.

The question - how is the aluminum drive disc removed so it can be replaced?  What holds it?  What other components need to be removed to facilitate the removal? 

I searched for a service manual for the 824, and came up with this - although it says its for the 9-series.  You can see the drive disc diagram in  Fig 6-2

http://apache.ariens.com/manuals/000123A.pdf

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have proper tools, so with a little guidance I think I can get this done.  I think with new discs and new belts the machine will be performing as it did when it was new. 

Not to muddy the waters, but in researching this I discovered that there were "update kits" offered for this machine to correct drive ratios , improve torque and increase service life (better compound on the friction disc).   I was never informed of this from Ariens or the dealer that bought this from, despite the dealer saying that letters were sent to everyone with an 824 who was affected.  No chance that they will replace under "warranty" at this point.  While the upgrade may be an improvement, I don't want to spend a lot of money to install the update, being as the machine has done well for me until now and winter is here in the northeast and I need to get the unit up and running quickly.  I believe my failure to check/replace the friction disc is what put me in this situation, not necessarily a poor drive design.

Any help appreciated .

Thanks

Derek

Decided to try to run the existing drive disc. ..not as bad as thought.   We'll see how it goes...can always get into that at another time.  Done with the friction disc...btw it is about 5" O.D.

Now on to the belts....

Your on. Sometimes the washers on the yoke can be trouble when refitting the disk holder. The scored drive disk should get you through the season even if very harsh on the friction disk. Open it up in May and redo the job then if required. My Ariens dealer will take take back parts out less than 30 days. Makes it very convenient to have extra parts around without overspending with the return if not used. Now you know how simple snowblowers are on the inside. If needed, going in later for drive plate will be cake. Good job.

Every year I say I'm going to go through the snowblower in the summer and get it tip-tip for winter.  And I never do...

Doing some general lube now, at the pointes specified in the (paper) manua that came with the machine.  I can't see the tiny little diagrams. 

Should the drive gears at the left side be lubricated with grease?  they are covered with rubber shavings from the friction disc wearing over the years. If so, what type of grease?  there is a fitting on the left side, but that appears to grease the shaft for teh small gear/chain drive.   And what about the chain?  Chain lube?  The manual doesn't address those items.

And I will say that this cable setup for the drive clutch leaves a lot to be desired.  No wonder they changed to a linkage for later models.

derek

The drive plate only slides on the hex shaft. It is attached to the engagement fork/yolk, I'd recommend you replace this plate or the new friction disk might not last very long. When you replace the drive plate make sure you clean off all the old lubricant from the hex shaft and re-grease. Also oil the bronze bushings the shaft rides in with gear oil.

Check your mailbox on the upper right of the page when you log in.

>>>Should the drive gears at the left side be lubricated with grease? 

   There’s usually no mention of lub for those in manuals but I grease them with EP.

>>>rubber shavings from the friction disc wearing over the years

    In better weather solvent and a garden hose.

>>there is a fitting on the left side,

   EP

>>>And what about the chain?  Chain lube? 

  I get that with light oil then grease. 

    Marine grease for general greasing and any good EP you can find with water resistance.  It's tough to find recommended greases.

Snowman>>>The drive plate only slides on the hex shaft. It is attached to the engagement fork/yolk.

 

   How does the drive plate get held to the yoke?  There’s a C-clip there but I can’t see what it would catch to on the drive plate if that is the keeper for it.  From what is shown for parts it seem the drive plate would only slip into the yoke as a press fit.

 

There is a groove in the outside of the shaft boss on the new alum. drive plate, but I also cannot see where a retaining clip would do anything.

Well, just got done blowing 24" of snow with this machine, and it performed like a champ.  I only did the new rubber friction disc and belts, using the existing (grooved up) aluminum drive plate.  Didn't have any traction/slipping issues at all.   I'm gonna have a look at the new friction disc to see if it is getting chewed up...but I won't get to it today.

The boss sticks through the bearing assembly (figure 22 on the drawing) then gets that C-clip to keep it moving with the drive yoke.

When you get to looking at the friction disk please post what you see.  It would be interesting to see how long it lasts. 

Derek,  What is the part number for the new updated friction disc??  I have the same machine as yours and the same issues. Thanks, MYCATS...  Also, you mentioned that you bought yours in 2002 and my not knowing the s/n of yours how can I tell what year mine was made??  Mine is ST824 mod. # 932101 S//N 017081. Does anyone know??

Go here and enter your model and serial numbers.

http://www.ariens.com/corporate/Pages/OwnerManuals.aspx

Download the manuals and you can reference your part numbers.

If you want someone else to double check for you you will need to post the model and serial numbers off the tag under the handlebars.

I have a 824/932101 that I have had issues with. The friction disc rubber was shredded, and the drive plate was all scored up. I have replaced all of this, however, the thing that I am really nervous about is the shift fork that hooks onto the friction disc assembly. This mounts into a hole in the frame. The problem I am forseeing prior to putting this all back together is there is a bit of play in this assembly and causes the shift fork rod to dislodge from the mounting hole and the fork will come off the friction disc assembly completely.

Anyone familiar with this issue and or the complete parts lineup for this and how to eliminate the play? I did find a flat washer when I removed the bottom panel. However, unsure if this is related.

Thanks for any help out there!

-=Kurt