I can't find my manual for the 5500 blender. Which blade is used for ice? The smooth one or the one with little teeth?

Coupling teeth??? Replace coupling, if the teeth on the blade part of the coupling are also damaged then you will need to replace the blade assy as well as that coupling only comes with the blades.

You have already found what is the problem the blades.
The blades after a lot of working hours with ice they have mainly three problems.
One the sharp adjes have created a lot of teeths and are not so sharp any more so the blending is not smooth anymore.
Second problem they have loose a title so they have move from corect place some milimeters and this change the wave motion and again the beleding is not so smooth as before.
Third the blades are secure on an axis which is located in two bearings which have een wearing out so the rotating motion of the blades again is not so smooth as before.
So if you are not able to fix the blades kit or to find someone in your area to do it profetionaly and cheap one good idea is to buy a new blades kid.
Good luck

Sounds like the teeth are stripped underneath the blade. Make sure it's put together correctly before you do anything else.
Download Cuisinart CBT 500 Manual

Hi, You can download a PDF version of the manual for your Back to Basic 5500 here: http://www.retrevo.com/s/BacktoBasics-5500-Blenders-review-manual/id/21177bh447/t/1-2/
Have fun!

I think the ice was too hard for a hand blender. I think the impact has caused the blade to separate from the shaft or caused the shaft to separate internally. If your blender is still under warranty you might be able to get it fixed. Note: none of the "Smoothy" recipes in the manual call for ice. One uses ice-cream. One uses "partially thawed frozen strawberries" and one uses sherbet.

yes you can get a new base. your best bet is to google the brand name and buy the part from the manufacturer

Yeah, the blades probably need to be replaced. The replacement blade assemblies for most models can be ordered directly from Oster - their phone # is 1-800-334-0759 - you have to go through an elaborate menu tree to get to the right place.

Here is a link - I believe smoothie blade assembly is what you need, but I would call first to be sure:
http://www.focuselectrics.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=3635&linkon=subsection&linkid=120&secid=53

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Here's the order form for the parts you need:
http://www.focuselectrics.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=3635&linkon=subsection&linkid=120&secid=53

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Here is the parts order form:
http://www.focuselectrics.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=3635&linkon=subsection&linkid=120&secid=53

-Tha Mp3 Doctor