How to replace auger cable for snow blower?

Unless you're VERY mechanically inclined, I suggest you leave your machine in the hands of a shop that works on snow throwers and small engines.

That being said, I replaced my auger cable this afternoon. It took almost two hours. If I knew what I was doing, I probably could have done it in 30-45 minutes. The part alone was $29.99.

Consider the snow thrower as two separate pieces bolted together. On the one end is the engine and the controls. The other end is the auger and thrower. On my machine (Toro 824, circa 1997), there are three bolts on each side of the machine holding thw two sections together. As luck would have it, I took out the top two on each side, and the snow thrower cracked open Ike an egg, still attached by the lower bolts. Then I had to take out two more bolts that held the spring-loaded pulleysin place. This was necessary so that I could get at the part where the spring at the end of my auger cable acually attaches. (I forgot to mention a two plastic covers {top and bottom} that need to be removed first.) You should probably remove the control that roates the chute before you crack the transmission open.)

It would have helped considerably if I had a helper, but alas, I was solo for this mission.

When you set the lock nuts on the handle end of the cable, I used (what I thought was) common sense, and set the cable so that with the handle depressed, the cable was pulled just a little bit more than the amount needed to move the pulley to the extent of its travel. The extra pull would be handled by the spring at the cable end.

Would I tackle this task again? On my machine, sure. On a friend's machine, only if I owed him/her a HUGE favor.

Good Luck.

I only searched online for this answer just to see if I could have done it easier and simpler.