Snowblower only one auger turns: Common Causes & How to Fix
1Snowblower Shear Bolt and Nut
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger can't turn anymore. Check the shear bolt to see if it is broken in two. If you see the shear bolt is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear bolt acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the bolt is intact, the issue is somewhere else. But if the shear bolt is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Bolt and Nut
- Gather supplies - You will need replacement shear bolts and nuts designed for your snowblower model. Have a socket set ready.
- Locate shear bolts - Shear bolts connect the augers to the auger shaft. Consult your owner's manual for exact location.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and bolts.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear bolts.
- Remove old bolts - Use a socket to unscrew the damaged shear bolt and nut from the auger shaft.
- Install new bolts - Thread the new replacement shear bolt through the auger and shaft. Tighten the nut securely.
- Replace all bolts - Make sure to replace all shear bolts, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to ensure the augers turn properly before fully operating.
2Snowblower Shear Pin
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear pin is a small metal pin that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear pins are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents engine damage. If the shear pin breaks, the auger can't spin anymore. Check the shear pin to see if it cracked in two. If you see the shear pin is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear pin acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the pin is intact, the problem is something else. But if the shear pin is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Pin
- Gather supplies - Have replacement shear pins designed specifically for your snowblower model ready. You may need pliers.
- Locate shear pins - Shear pins are found connecting the augers to the auger shaft. Check your owner's manual.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and shear pins.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear pin.
- Remove old pin - Use pliers to remove any broken ends of the old shear pin from the auger shaft.
- Install new pin - Insert the new replacement shear pin through the auger and shaft. Push it in completely.
- Replace all pins - Make sure to replace all shear pins, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to confirm the augers turn properly before fully operating.
3Snowblower Shear Bolt
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger can't turn anymore. Check the shear bolt to see if it is broken in two. If you see the shear bolt is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear bolt acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the bolt is intact, the issue is somewhere else. But if the shear bolt is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Bolt
- Gather supplies - Have replacement shear bolts designed specifically for your snowblower model ready. You may need pliers.
- Locate shear pins - Shear pins are found connecting the augers to the auger shaft. Check your owner's manual.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and shear pins.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear pin.
- Remove old pin - Use pliers to remove any broken ends of the old shear pin from the auger shaft.
- Install new pin - Insert the new replacement shear pin through the auger and shaft. Push it in completely.
- Replace all pins - Make sure to replace all shear pins, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to confirm the augers turn properly before fully operating.
4Snowblower Auger Assembly
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
First, inspect the shear pins for any damage. If the shear pins are cracked or worn out, put in new ones. Next, look over the auger blades. If the blades are bent or worn down, replace them with new auger blades. If the full auger assembly is really worn out, you'll need to swap in a whole new auger assembly. The shear pins are there to break and protect the auger. Bent or damaged auger blades won't throw snow properly. Check both shear pins and blades to see if they need replacement. Worn out individual parts like shear pins and blades can be replaced. But if everything is super worn, replacing the full auger assembly may be needed to get it throwing snow like new again. Start with pins and blades, then the whole auger if necessary.
How to Replace Snowblower Auger Assembly
- Gather supplies - You will need a new auger assembly designed for your snowblower model. Have your toolbox ready.
- Disconnect spark plug - Unscrew and disconnect the spark plug wire for safety.
- Drain gasoline - Drain the gas from the snowblower if needed to transport safely.
- Remove shear pins - Take out the shear pins connecting the augers to the auger shaft.
- Detach auger - Remove bolts or screws connecting the auger housing and detach the auger assembly from the snowblower.
- Install new auger - Carefully lift the new auger assembly into place and bolt it securely to the snowblower housing.
- Replace shear pins - Insert new shear pins to reconnect the augers to the shaft.
- Add gasoline - Refill the gas tank if emptied earlier.
- Test operation - Connect the spark plug, start the snowblower, and test the auger briefly before fully using.
5Snowblower Bearing
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The issue could be that one or more of the bearings have locked up. Bearings need to spin smoothly to work properly. If a bearing has seized or frozen, it won't turn right anymore. You'll need to replace any bearing that has seized with a new one. Check the bearings by spinning them to feel for rough spots or resistance. A seized bearing will feel very tight and hard to turn. If you find a bearing that's stuck, swap it out for a new one. Well-lubricated bearings should spin freely. Repair or replacement is needed when bearings get stuck and can't rotate like they should. Sticking bearings due to dirt, lack of lube or wear will lead to problems. If something won't turn properly, seized bearings are likely the culprit.
How to Replace Snowblower Bearing
- Gather supplies - You will need a new bearing designed for your snowblower model. Have your wrench set and a mallet ready.
- Locate bearing - Bearings are typically found around the auger shaft. Check your owner's manual for the exact location.
- Remove shear pins - Take out the shear pins connecting the augers to the shaft to access the bearing.
- Remove auger - Take out bolts/screws as needed to fully detach the auger and expose the bearing.
- Remove old bearing - Use a wrench to unscrew the bearing bolts and a mallet to knock it loose if needed.
- Install new bearing - Carefully slide the new bearing into place around the shaft. Insert and tighten the bearing bolts.
- Replace auger - Bolt the auger assembly back into place. Make sure it spins freely.
- Insert shear pins - Replace the shear pins connecting the augers to the shaft.
- Test operation - Start up the snowblower and let the auger spin briefly to ensure smooth operation.
6Snowblower Gearbox
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The gearbox is between the two sides of the auger. It has three shafts: one connects to the drive system, the other two power each auger half. If the drive shaft spins but the auger shafts don't, even though shear pins are fine, the gearbox needs replacement. The gearbox transfers power from the drive to the augers. Check that the drive shaft and shear pins are good. If drive works but augers don't turn, the gears inside the box are likely busted. The gearbox makes the augers go when drive is engaged. If it's not transferring power properly, replacing the faulty gearbox will get the augers spinning again. It syncs everything up through those three shafts.
How to Replace Snowblower Gearbox
- Gather supplies - You will need a new gearbox designed for your snowblower model. Have your wrench set, mallet, and screwdrivers ready.
- Locate gearbox - The gearbox is attached to the auger shaft housing. Check your owner's manual for exact location.
- Drain oil - Drain the old oil from the gearbox if needed.
- Detach auger - Remove shear pins, bolts, and screws to detach the auger assembly and expose the gearbox.
- Remove fasteners - Use wrenches and screwdrivers to remove any gearbox cover plates and fasteners.
- Detach gearbox - Use wrenches and a mallet to loosen the old gearbox and disconnect it from the auger shaft.
- Install new gearbox - Carefully mount the new gearbox onto the auger shaft. Insert and tighten all fasteners.
- Replace auger - Reattach the auger assembly. Make sure all parts are moving freely.
- Add new oil - Refill the gearbox with fresh oil to the specified level.
- Test operation - Start up the snowblower and let the auger rotate to confirm smooth gearbox operation.