451 Snowblower with Loose Impeller

[ColoradoGuy]

I have a 190-451 snowblower mounted on my Cub 1862.

I was blowing some snow last week. Stopped to clear a snow jam, and noticed that the impeller seemed a bit loose. I finished the job, pulled it into the garage, and let everything dry.

The next day, I pulled off the exhaust deflector, belt cover, and discharge chute assembly for a good view of the blower’s gear housing and belt pulley, and to provide better access to the impeller, which I wiggled around by hand.

The impeller was indeed loose – I was able to rotate it on the shaft about ½” at the outside diameter, and wiggle it about 3/8” forward and back horizontally. Also, I was able to wiggle the shaft about 1/8” up / down at the end nearest the impeller; the front end of the shaft (at the spiral gear housing) was tightly secure.

All other parts appeared tight and completely functional. There were no unusual noises or other symptoms.

To anyone who has (or had) a 450 or 451 snowblower: is this much ‘play’ in the impeller normal, or I looking at an impending failure?

Thanks in advance,

Jon