Thanks to snowblowers, removing the snow from your front yard during the late winter months can be a breeze.
But, to make sure that your snowblower remains in top-notch condition, it is necessary to maintain it. That includes replacing old and worn-out parts like the friction wheel on time.
However, if you are relatively inexperienced, you might wonder when to replace the friction wheel on snowblower models? That is why I have made this brief guide to help you out.
So, without any delays, let’s get to it!
When Should You Replace The Friction Wheel On Your Snowblower?
The friction wheel, also known as the friction disc, is a critical component in the snowblower. It remains in contact with the drive wheel of the snowblower. So, when the friction disc rotates, it further rotates the drive wheel, moving the snowblower forward.
Thus, if the friction wheel is absent, damaged, or worn out, the drive wheel won’t move. As a result, you won’t be able to move the snowblower from its starting position.
In that context, a snowblower friction wheel is made from durable materials, which typically makes it quite sturdy. It is also protected from external damage, thanks to the outer frame cover. That leaves regular wear and tear as the only reason why they need to be replaced.
Generally, a friction wheel of a snowblower lasts for ten years but with proper maintenance, the number of years can be extended further. However, if you live in colder regions, where it snows a lot, you will need to use your snowblower quite frequently. That will increase wear, due to which you may need to replace it sooner.
There are specific symptoms that will indicate when it’s time to replace the friction wheel. You may start having difficulty moving the snowblower. Or, the wheels may get suddenly stalled for a few seconds while in use.
There may be strange noises coming from the snowblower as well. So, you should heed these warning signs when they appear and replace the snowblower friction wheel as soon as possible.
How To Replace The Friction Wheel On Your Snowblower?
These are some steps that you can follow to replace the friction wheel of your snowblower easily.
Step 1: Remove The Outer Frame Cover
First, you will need to remove the outer frame cover. Remove any screws holding it together and dislodge it from the snowblower to expose the friction wheel.
Step 2: Remove The Wheels
Once you have removed the outer covering, remove both the wheels of the snowblower as well. Without removing them, you won’t be able to proceed further since the large wheels will make it difficult to follow the subsequent steps.
So, remove any bolts and screws holding the wheels to the drive shaft and the axle. After you have done that, slowly pull out both wheels.
Step 3: Loosen The Hex Shaft
When you remove the wheels, the side panels that contain the hex shaft nut will become exposed. You will then need to remove this nut to loosen the hex shaft.
Hold the hex shaft in a stationary position using a wrench so that it doesn’t rotate when loosening the hex shaft nut. Then using a ratchet and socket, loosen and remove the nut from the side panel.
Step 4: Replace The Friction Wheel
Once the hex shaft has been loosened, carefully pull out the old friction wheel, and put in the new one. If you wish, you can clean the entire shaft before installing the new one.
Step 5: Reassemble All The Parts
After the new friction wheel is in place, secure the hex shaft nut, and put back the wheels and the outer frame cover. Make sure to tighten the screws and nuts adequately so that they don’t come loose while using the snowblower.
Final Words
So, now you know when to replace the friction wheel on your snowblower. If you follow this guide, you will be able to quickly identify the symptoms of a worn-out wheel and get it replaced.
Buying a new snowblower is also a good option but it’s not cost-effective. So, if you are short on funds, then the process I have outlined here will definitely be helpful.
With that being said, I have now arrived at the end of this short guide. Keep an eye out for more articles like this in the future.
Until then, goodbye, and take care!