How to Replace Snowblower Shear Pins or Shear Bolts

Snowblower shear pins or shear bolts are a safety feature that prevents a snowblower from being damaged when something stops the snowblower auger. When the auger meets an obstruction, the pin will literally shear off to prevent damage to the auger proper. Unfortunately, these snowblower shear pins have to be replaced after each incident. As the incidents tend to occur in the middle of a snow storm while you are clearing your driveway, it helps to be familiar how to replace snowblower shear pins ahead of time.

Snowblower
Replacement snowblower shear pins
Punch or Screwdriver
Hammer
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the snowblower off. Unplug the spark plug wire to make sure that it does not start up while you are working on the machine.
- 2
  Check to make sure that there is nothing still obstructing the free rotation of the auger (the helical blade that cuts through the snow). After any obstruction is removed, the auger should rotate freely from the cylinder drive. This typically indicates that you have one or more broken snowblower shear pins. Shear pins or shear bolts are available at virtually any hardware store or small engine repair shops.
- 3
  Rotate the snowblower auger to line up to holes in the drive. If old snowblower shear pins are stuck in the drive, push them out with a screwdriver or punch. A little hammering on the punch may be needed.
- 4
  Insert new snowblower shear pins into place. Hand screw in the nut in place and tighten the snowblower shear pin with a wrench.
- 5
  Spin the snowblower auger again to make sure it spins with the drive cylinder. Plug in the spark plug and start up the snowblower to make sure everything is in order.

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