Removing Flywheel

[phoodieman]

Re: Removing Flywheel

I bought a chain strap to grip the smaller diameter. That is working very well. The air impact didn't do it so I switched back to the 1/2" ratchet driver. I had cheater bars on both tools. I cranked until one of the grade 8's gave out. There was enough sticking out and it screwed right out. I have tapped, beat, tightened and untightened with about every tool I have and this thing won't budge. I'm going to turn a point on the puller screw and let the set up sit up under pressure and try the mentioned gradual tightening method over several days. I am wondering if I'm missing something. Is the 1 1/16 nut the only thing that holds the flywheel down?

phoodieman

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Removing Flywheel

yup. that and good 'ol friction. Both the cam and the flywheel are tapered in such a way that seat together using friction. Cone shaped cam into cone shaped hole in flywheel. I agree that you should keep the flywheel nut on loosely so that when the flywheel does "pop" loose it won't go flying. Just tighten the puller a bit each day, if need be. Eventually the pull will exceed the friction holding the flywheel in place. A bit of heat may help too, if you have a torch and want to try heating things up a bit, but don't go crazy. Patience is a virtue. She'll come off..........eventually.

 

[knehdn]

Re: Removing Flywheel

If you do use heat... be very careful. Heating, especially close to the magnet will re-align the molecules and render the magnetism useless.

 

[Dexta]

Re: Removing Flywheel

When that thing comes off it's gonna fly - unless you put that nut or a tether on it. Breaking bolts scares me. I wouldn't try to rush this thing, take your time, soak, give a few cranks, soak. I would plan on a few days of it.

 

[phoodieman]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Yeah, broken bolts aren't a good thing. I'm at the point where I have put about all the force on the fly wheel as I can. Can I put some kind of petroleum based penatrent to help unseize the flywheel? The manual shows the taper ending just a little above the deck where all the points are. As it is, I don't think any thing would flow through the mating pieces any way the way it is bound, but I don' know for sure. I just don't want to create other problems by getting anything in the electrical system that might foul it up. Looks like I'm in for the long haul.

Phoodieman

 

[i386]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Can I put some kind of petroleum based penatrent to help unseize the flywheel?

Try a squirt of PB Blaster as suggested earlier. You will want that taper to be dry and oil free before it all goes back together though. Be careful. I think this one's really going to pop when it breaks loose.

 

[James R]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Penetrants don't work. A whimpy Impact gun wont work, you need a 1/2 inch drive air impact to load the puller bolt.
A sharp rap with a 16oz hammer on the center bolt should do it.
Dont ***** foot with it.
I don't know what part of this you have not been able to understand in my previous posts.
I do this with all my stubborn flywheels and it hasn't failed yet.
I suppose there can always be a first time but not yet.
Heat will do damage and oils don't help.
If you still have doubts take it to a reputable dealer.
Guess what he will probably do?

 

[phoodieman]

Re: Removing Flywheel

I believe that if I have the puller bolt loaded until one of the grade 8 bolts sheared, then there is no more room to load with a conventional ratchet. I have pounded on the puller bolt while it was under load. (I did have an aluminum scrap piece on the puller bolt to keep from marring it). I brought a big dead blow home today and went around the perimeter to accommodate some of the other methods. Still stuck. I am using a 240 FT/LBS half inch drive impact gun. To keep with your method I'm going to return the 240 and try a higher torque gun. May be the lower torque gun is why it's not coming off.

Phoodieman

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Removing Flywheel

I stopped using my 240# impact and bought a 450# one as I couldn't even get lug bolts off wheels. And it does my 105# 40hp flywheels nicely.

 

[Dexta]

Re: Removing Flywheel

This thread is unreal, the suspense is killing me. Can't wait till she blows.

Hope it all turns out well.

 

[phoodieman]

Re: Removing Flywheel

I for one do not like wasting time and space on this very informative forum for something as trivial as removing a flywheel. I want to get this over, get this motor running good, and get back to the lakes. I put a 450 FT/LBS impact to it today. Still won't move. The only thing I haven't tried yet is heat, and I didn't want to resort to that. So I'm going to start out with a heat gun.

phoodieman

 

[knehdn]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Yea, we're all waitng for this thing to pop...kinda like waiting for your first born.
If you're gonna get the heat to it, try to keep it concentrated tight to the shaft. Maybe use one of those little micro torches. Just a thought.

.... I think it's gonna be a boy.

 

[phoodieman]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Ring the bells and run out into the streets with a beer in your hand. I thought I was pulling the shaft right out of the motor because I was expecting a huge pop. I applied heat and still wouldn't move. I had an idea. I put the torque wrench on the 1 1/16 nut and went about 15 FT/LBS over spec. Then went back with the puller. As I tightened up it started to move up. No pop, it just eased up. You can see the sun set in the first pic that I took right after it came off. It was dark right as I took the pics, but it looked like the aluminum flywheel had a steel insert and the taper and the insert had rusted together. What a fight. Thanks for all the input and help.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Boy, the crank taper looks pretty crappy, like someone put something on it before installing the flywheel, or maybe it's just rust. Either are bad! I'm sure that's why the thing came off so hard.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Finally! That cam does look pretty ugly. Be sure you get it and the flywheel nice and clean before you put them back together. You don't want any grease, lube or oil left. You might want to get a new woodruff key too. It looks like the old one may have been ruined or replaced. Glad you can get to the good stuff. What's wrong with it any way?

 

[James R]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Bloody amazing! No wonder it wouldn't come off.
Congrats on your perseverance.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Clean it up and it should work fine again hopefully...

 

[Dexta]

Re: Removing Flywheel

Great, cool, excellent, congratdulations. Where are the cigars?

Now we all have to add your step to our bag of tricks.