Help me please, any ideas how to remove WOODRUFF KEY?

[texaslincoln]

So the crankshaft pulley came off in about 20 seconds, no problem, now what i thought would be easy to remove is taking me all day. Any body have ideas on how to remove this lil bastard? Short of cutting it out? I've sprayed it down with liquid wrench, it's been sitting for awhile now soaking. I've hammered both ends up and down and it's just rocking in the middle like a c-saw. Kind of hard to put pliers or vice grips on it to yank it out. I've bent about 2-3 flat heads trying to get up under the edge and pry it up. NOTHING!! Any body else had this problem before? Any solutions would be extremely helpful right now

[texaslincoln]

Never mind on inquiry, not sure if it was a combination of heating up shaft, more pounding back and forth, cutting key in half with drimmel, good set of vice grips, a few Corona’s to calm me down but key finally came out. Didn’t think the easiest and simplest thing would take me half a day and what was supposed be the hardest was simply as pie to remove.

[texaslincoln]

Finally got it removed

[LithiumCobalt]

Damn. You’ll likely need a replacement now. I’ve always just inserted a small screwdriver in between the slot and key and tapped with a hammer. It usually comes out with a little effort.

[action]

Trust me it was the Corona!!!!

>>>>>>>Action

[TonyC]

*OOF* Boy, you really went through an ordeal there. You'll definitely need to replace that Woodruff key. You should be able to find the right-size replacement either at a parts store, or at a hardware store. Just carry what's left of the original with you to match up the size.

---Tony

[action]

The key for all MEL engines is 3/16" X 1.40"


>>>>>>>>>Action

[texaslincoln]

The key for all MEL engines is 3/16" X 1.40"


>>>>>>>>>Action

Thank you for the info, I’ll c if I can pick up a replacement while I’m out today. Heard Lowe’s and Home Depot carry these keys as well, practically my second home so I’m good.

[texaslincoln]

Trust me it was the Corona!!!!

>>>>>>>Action

Lol yep, I definitely believe it was as well. She seems to be an answer to allot of my problems lately when working on my car, who new?

[texaslincoln]

*OOF* Boy, you really went through an ordeal there. You'll definitely need to replace that Woodruff key. You should be able to find the right-size replacement either at a parts store, or at a hardware store. Just carry what's left of the original with you to match up the size.

---Tony

Yes sir TonyC. Even lost a few eyebrows after heating torch bursted into flames while heating up the key. Not sure what happened but had flames shooting out sides and top of canister. I thought I was a goner for sure. Definitely sat down afterwards and had a drink then!! Lol

[TonyC]

*YIPE!*

[texaslincoln]

Success, found a replacement part at NAPA Auto Parts.

$1.38 for a new woodruff key, they actually had a case with an assortment of sizes so just found size that matched

Nothing at O'riley, Autozone, Pepboys, Ace Hardware, Lowe's or Home Depot that i could find

[tomo]

I have always used a brass drift to drive the back end of the key down and then the front end of the key up and out of the slot. The brass drift will not damage the key and cause it to bind in the slot or damage the slot.

[texaslincoln]

I have always used a brass drift to drive the back end of the key down and then the front end of the key up and out of the slot. The brass drift will not damage the key and cause it to bind in the slot or damage the slot.

And that sir would probably be the best and most useful information on this topic. Never thought about using a brass drift or punch to knock that end up. I was constantly worried about screw driver slipping and damaging shaft. Im a young kid sir and lacking wisdom in some of the simple and SMART methods. Thank you for today's lesson, much appreciated. Im always thirsty for new knowledge and it seems alot of my elders possess just that.

[RMAENV]

Good Thinkin Frank L. We only leaned the "SMART" methods either from making the mistakes you are making or listening to our elders who made them before us.