December 01, 2015

How to replace a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly

How to replace a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly

This DIY repair guide gives instructions for replacing a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly. The chute control gearbox moves the discharge chute to the left or right as you move the joystick. If the chute control gearbox is damaged or stripped, the discharge chute won't move. Replace the chute control gearbox with the manufacturer-approved approved snowblower part.

This procedure works for common Craftsman and MTD snowblowers.

Quick links
Tools required
Wrench set
Phillips screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Work gloves
Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
Replacing the chute control gearbox on a snowblower

This video explains how to replace the chute control gearbox on a snowblower.

Instructions

  1. 01.

    Disconnect the trigger cable

    Remove the 3 screws from the snowblower joystick handle and separate the handle halves.

    Disconnect the trigger cable and set the joystick handle, trigger and cable slide receiver aside.

    Pull the trigger cable out of the control panel.

    Release the trigger cable from the cable bracket on the muffler shroud.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws.

    PHOTO: Remove the screws.

    PHOTO: Separate the handle.

    PHOTO: Separate the handle.

    PHOTO: Release the trigger cable.

    PHOTO: Release the trigger cable.

  2. 02.

    Remove the chute control gearbox

    Remove the chute rod cotter pin and slide the chute rod out of the gearbox.

    Remove the bolt that attaches the gearbox to the chute bracket.

    Remove the wing nut from the bottom of the gearbox.

    Pull the cotter pin out of the gearbox mounting pin.

    Remove the gearbox mounting pin.

    Lift the gearbox off the support bracket and chute.

    PHOTO: Remove the cotter pin from the chute control shaft.

    PHOTO: Remove the cotter pin from the chute control shaft.

    PHOTO: Release the chute rod.

    PHOTO: Release the chute rod.

    PHOTO: Remove the bolt.

    PHOTO: Remove the bolt.

    PHOTO: Remove the wing nut.

    PHOTO: Remove the wing nut.

    PHOTO: Remove the cotter pin.

    PHOTO: Remove the cotter pin.

    PHOTO: Remove the pin.

    PHOTO: Remove the pin.

    PHOTO: Remove the gearbox.

    PHOTO: Remove the gearbox.

  3. 03.

    Connect the trigger cable

    Route the new trigger cable through the cable bracket on the muffler shroud.

    Push the trigger cable up through the oval opening in the bottom of the control panel, then up through the joystick opening.

    Position the end of the cable in the cable slide receiver.

    Place the cable slide in the right half of the trigger handle with the slot and cable ball facing the trigger.

    Reinstall the trigger in the pivot hole on the right half of the trigger handle and slip the trigger tab into the cable slide receiver slot.

    Insert the cable sleeve end into the bracket on the right half of the trigger handle.

    Reinstall the left half of the trigger handle onto the right half of the trigger handle and slide the trigger handle onto the trigger shaft while holding the two halves together.

    Reinstall the trigger mounting screws.

    PHOTO: Route the cable through the bracket.

    PHOTO: Route the cable through the bracket.

    PHOTO: Push the cable into the control.

    PHOTO: Push the cable into the control.

    PHOTO: Position the cable in the handle.

    PHOTO: Position the cable in the handle.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the trigger.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the trigger.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screws.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the screws.

  4. 04.

    Install the new gearbox assembly

    Position the chute facing straight ahead.

    Hold the new gearbox over the chute and align the flat sides of the gearbox shaft with the flat sides on the chute bracket receiver.

    Push the gearbox shaft down into the chute bracket receiver and onto the chute support bracket.

    Reinstall the mounting bolt through the gearbox and into the chute bracket.

    Reinstall the mounting bolt through the gearbox and the chute support bracket and secure it with the wing nut.

    Reinstall the pin through the chute support bracket and the bottom of the gearbox and secure it with the cotter pin.

    Center the trigger on the control panel and make sure that the chute is still facing straight ahead to align the trigger control.

    Insert the end of the chute rod into the new gearbox.

    Align the holes in the chute rod with the holes in the gearbox drive shaft receiver and reinstall the cotter pin.

    PHOTO: Install the new gearbox.

    PHOTO: Install the new gearbox.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting bolt.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the mounting bolt.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the wing nut.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the wing nut.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pin.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the pin.

    PHOTO: Insert the chute rod.

    PHOTO: Insert the chute rod.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the cotter pin.

    PHOTO: Reinstall the cotter pin.

Warning: Undertaking repairs or maintenance to appliances or power equipment can be hazardous. Should you choose to undertake repairs or maintenance, you are assuming the risk of injury to your person or property. In an effort to reduce the risk, use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the applicable guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs or maintenance, however, should only be performed by a qualified technician.

Symptoms for gas snowblowers

Choose a symptom to see related snowblower repairs.

Main causes: punctured tire, damaged rim…

Main causes: dirty carburetor, stale fuel…

Main causes: dirty carburetor, clogged fuel filter, dirty spark plug, incorrect valve lash, leaky engine gaskets…

Main causes: stale gas, clogged carburetor, clogged or broken fuel line, dirty spark plug, bad rewind starter, incorrect…

Main causes: snow build-up in chute, chute drive mechanism failure, bad chute control assembly…

Main causes: loose drive clutch cable, damaged drive clutch cable, worn friction disc, scraper blade scraping the ground…

Main causes: clogged chute, damaged auger blades, broken shear pins, worn auger belt, damaged gear case, engine problems…

Main causes: broken shear pins, worn or loose auger drive belt, auger drive cable failure, damaged auger, bad gear case…

Things to do: replace the spark plug, change the oil, rebuild the carburetor, adjust valve lash, adjust or replace the b…

Repair guides for gas snowblowers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your snowblower.

How to replace a snowblower fuel filter

How to replace a snowblower fuel filter

Replace the fuel filter on your snowblower if it's clogged or damaged.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a snowblower shave plate

How to replace a snowblower shave plate

Follow the 7 easy steps in this repair guide/video to replace a worn out shave plate on your snowblower.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly

How to replace a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly

Replace the chute control gearbox on your snowblower if it's stripped or damaged.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your snowblowers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your snowblower.

How to make your snowblower last longer

How to make your snowblower last longer

Learn the steps to take to adjust and maintain your snowblower so it lasts longer.…

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Learn about Sears Technical Institute and the advanced technical content being developed for aspiring appliance techs.…

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.…