In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Could I get a little keyway help here?

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by fishingpol, Dec 30, 2015.

  1. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    I blew a bearing on my snowblower where the shafts goes through the scoop to the impeller. I took the scoop off to access the wheel for the belt. I am having a helluva time removing the belt wheel off the shaft. There were two set screws on the back of the wheel. One was snuggled right tight into the top of the key. I have the set screws removed and the wheel is plenty loose.

    I am thinking that the set screw raised the metal on the key and when the wheel is pulled off the shaft, the key is jamming.

    So any ideas on what to do next? I was thinking of drilling out the key from the end. When the wheel was almost off, I tapped the key back in but it dented a little. I don't have a wheel puller.

    Picture of the wheel pushed in. End of key showing. I just think the key is hanging up and pulling the key causing it to wedge.

    20151230_193413.jpg

    Wheel out. So close. I cleaned up the mushrooming from the hammer on the shaft end, most likely not the issue.

    20151230_193339.jpg

    View looking down to the set screw hole where I think the key got puckered.

    20151230_193328.jpg

    If you have any tips, I could use one. Taking a break away from it for a few minutes.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  2. cwn877

    cwn877

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,174
    Likes Received:
    4,542
    Location:
    Central Pa
    Have any way to put heat on it? Also make sure that pressure is applied evenly so the pulley stays straight the slightest rocking will bind it and keep it from coming off.
     
    mdavlee and Horkn like this.
  3. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    No heat yet. Wd 40 to loosen it up. Two pry bars with wood behind them to work it loose. I can almost slide the wheel by hand on the shaft now.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  4. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    I am going to try to use a small steel rod down the set screw hole and flatten the pucker down on the top of the key.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  5. SquareFile

    SquareFile

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2014
    Messages:
    1,838
    Likes Received:
    6,567
    Location:
    somewhere
    Pickle fork should pop that off esy. Be careful with heat if theres a seal on the shaft.
     
    mdavlee, Horkn, Barcroftb and 2 others like this.
  6. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    No seal, just a shot bearing. No fork, that would work well.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  7. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,033
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    There is usually room left in the keyway for it to slide. The setscrew shouldn't raise it any more than that little bit anyways. I would say you have rust holding up or the end of the shaft is distorted more than you realize. I usually check the cost of a new pulley before attacking a center bearing job on a blower. Sometimes it isn't worth all the frustration to save a $15-20 part in a job that size. Other times the pulley is NLA or big bucks and I know we're in for a good fight.
     
    Horkn and Barcroftb like this.
  8. cwn877

    cwn877

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,174
    Likes Received:
    4,542
    Location:
    Central Pa
    Thought of a pickle fork too but most guys don't have one. Just don't hit it to much and mushroom the key out tight in the groove of the pulley.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  9. Barcroftb

    Barcroftb

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Messages:
    3,087
    Likes Received:
    17,935
    Location:
    The Mitten
    Might be time to bite the bullet and buy a puller or pickle fork. If money is an issue there's always China Freight..... Errr I mean harbor freight:

    Three-Jaw Puller Set 4 Pc
     
    pantelis, Horkn and bobdog2o02 like this.
  10. cwn877

    cwn877

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,174
    Likes Received:
    4,542
    Location:
    Central Pa
    I think the shaft maybe still mushroomed over causing grief. Could make a puller also. Wish I could be of more help.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  11. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    Yeah, trying to save the wheel. I'll check prices for a new one if this isn't going to work. I heated the end and the wheel up.
    No luck.

    I don't think it is mushrooming. I went around the end of the shaft with fine sandpaper and it still made no gain any closer to the end. If I lowered a high spot I would expect to see some gain moving towards the end. I just think the key is puckered at the top at the set screw hole. One more bourbon egg nog and I'll go back to it. I may drill it out at this point.

    Thanks for the help so far.
     
    Horkn and cus_deluxe like this.
  12. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,033
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    Most of those pulleys will not stand up to a puller of any kind without some serious distortion. Pickle fork is a great option if you have enough room to get one in between the housing and the pulley. IIRC they aren't real expensive for a hand-held one from an auto parts store or similar.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  13. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2014
    Messages:
    4,802
    Likes Received:
    27,728
    Location:
    South East Wyoming
    Put two chisels down both sides of the shaft. Then drive each one in like a wedge taking your time and make them even. That should eventually drive it off.
     
  14. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24,415
    Likes Received:
    140,544
    Location:
    US
    You haven't forged a pickle fork yet, fishingpol?:)
    Man, I know that's frustrating work for you, I'm like cwn877- wish I could be more help.....
    Would a humorous "thong" comment help?:rofl: :lol:
     
    Horkn likes this.
  15. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24,415
    Likes Received:
    140,544
    Location:
    US
    This^^^^^
     
    Horkn likes this.
  16. fishingpol

    fishingpol

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    39,643
    Location:
    Merrimack Valley, Ma.
    I did try two chisels of the same size. Where the bearing is shot, there is too much play back and forth.

    Drilling commencing...
     
    Horkn and Eric VW like this.
  17. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2014
    Messages:
    4,802
    Likes Received:
    27,728
    Location:
    South East Wyoming

    Also tap the end of the shaft once in awhile. The tapping makes the metal vibrate and because there are two different metals there they will vibrate differently and will help loosen it up more.
     
  18. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2014
    Messages:
    4,802
    Likes Received:
    27,728
    Location:
    South East Wyoming
    Well your options are getting smaller without having to buy something now. Sometimes simple tools just will not do the job.
     
    Horkn and Eric VW like this.
  19. cus_deluxe

    cus_deluxe

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2015
    Messages:
    386
    Likes Received:
    1,016
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    yep, some strategic hammering and wedging should be enough to solve this. its possible the drilling could create more debris and mess up the keyway.....ill grab a beer and hang out and see what happens ;)
     
    Horkn likes this.
  20. dgeesaman

    dgeesaman

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2014
    Messages:
    662
    Likes Received:
    1,952
    Location:
    Elizabethtown, PA
    auto parts stores will loan you one
     
    Horkn, cus_deluxe and Eric VW like this.