When winter weather hits hard, your snowblower becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment you own. So when it starts acting up—won’t throw snow, won’t move, or won’t start at all—it can quickly turn from a convenience into a frustration. The good news? Many snowblower issues come down to a handful of common wear parts that are easy to inspect and replace.
Before assuming the worst, here are the most common snowblower wear parts to check first.
Shear Pins: Small Parts, Big Impact
Shear pins are designed to break. They act as a safety feature, protecting your auger and gearbox if the machine hits a hard object like ice, rocks, or debris. When a shear pin breaks, the auger stops turning—or only one side spins—making it seem like the snowblower has lost power.
If your machine is running but not moving snow, broken or missing shear pins are often the culprit. Always replace them with the correct size and grade specified for your model. Using the wrong bolt can cause serious damage.
Belts: Power Transfer You Can’t See
Belts are responsible for transferring power from the engine to the auger and drive system. Over time, they can stretch, crack, glaze, or slip—especially in cold temperatures.
If your snowblower struggles to throw snow, moves slowly, or stops engaging altogether, worn belts may be to blame. Inspect belts for visible wear and replace them before they fail completely. Winter downtime is not the time to gamble on a worn belt.
Scraper Bars: Keeping Snow Where It Belongs
The scraper bar sits at the bottom of the snowblower housing and makes direct contact with the ground. Its job is to scrape snow down to the surface so the auger can pick it up efficiently.
A worn scraper bar leaves behind packed snow and ice, forcing you to make multiple passes. If the edge is rounded, uneven, or excessively worn, replacement is a simple and affordable fix that can dramatically improve performance.
Auger Components: Check for Wear and Play
Auger paddles, bearings, bushings, and shafts take a beating during heavy snow conditions. Excessive vibration, noise, or uneven auger movement can indicate worn components.
Inspect auger parts for looseness, damage, or excessive wear. Catching these issues early can prevent more expensive repairs down the road—especially damage to the gearbox.
Fuel System Parts: Cold Weather Trouble Spots
Cold temperatures can expose fuel system issues quickly. Clogged fuel filters, cracked fuel lines, dirty carburetors, and degraded primer bulbs are common winter problems.
If your snowblower is hard to start, surges, or stalls, check the fuel system. Replacing worn fuel lines, filters, or primer bulbs can restore reliable starting and smooth operation.
Stay Ahead of Winter Breakdowns
Most snowblower problems don’t come out of nowhere—they develop over time. Regular inspections and replacing common wear parts before failure can save time, money, and headaches during the winter season.
Reliable Aftermarket Parts offers quality aftermarket replacement parts to keep your snowblower running when you need it most. A little preventive maintenance now can make all the difference when the next storm rolls in.