Help with frozen woodruff key

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peter devine

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HI,
I am changing my impellor and the manual and parts kit says the woodruff key comes out. It will not move with light taps from a hammer and skrewdriver.
I don't want any damage .I AM STUCK
Thanks
 
Good link Tuna Man.

Pete, Try using a flat chisle. The extra size/weight makes a difference.

If that doesn't work, get yourself a Dremmel grinding tool. Using a thin cutting disc, cut a slit length wise, (from top to bottom) in the center of the woodruff key, as deep as possible without cutting the drive shaft. Now squeeze the key with visegrips. The slit will allow the key to collapse and seperate from the key way.
 
Pete,

Just ran into the same problem, Dremmel tool was the answer, took about 5-10 min. to remove.
 
Catch, did you try heating the area before going to dremel?
 
You guys are braver than I am. One was stuck the last time I changed the impeller. I laid the shaft on a bench and used a chisel on one end to get it out.
 
BobP said:
Catch, did you try heating the area before going to dremel?
Click to expand...

No... never tried heat. A little too close to the shaft seal for me. :shock:

Only had to use the Dremmel method once. The chisel usually gets it out.
 
Walt, thanks.

I've done a lot of things with the cut off wheel for that little dremel.
 
Thank you

Thank you for the quick replies!!!
With the step by step pics I feel confident the job was done right.
Thank you.
PS is there something on thermostats too? That is my next project.
Peter
 
With a vise grip, grip the key as tight as possible and as much as possible and strike the vise grip on the fat rounded part above the jaw with a hammer. I have a machine shop and this is the norm when it comes to removing keys in keyways. Plus there is less damage to the key this way.
 
BFH and a punch
2 hits and it is out
if not PB blaster then BFH and punch

watch out for heat, you can ruin the drive shaft seals
 
If you buy the kit it comes with a new key. So basically any way one chooses as long as the shaft is not effected.
 
I use a small center punch and drive it in at the top or bottomof thr key, the key is round and rounds out. does that make sence look at the new key, it comes out slide out, hit only one end, make sure your not just dirveing it in.
 
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