How to remove a flywheel for a pushmower and get to the "key" and replace?

Question

If someone could give me step by step instructions on how to remove a pushmower flywheel and get to the "key", please let me know and i can give the brand and specs on the mower if it would help.

thnx
Gage

Answer 1

Read all the way through. might save you some time.

assuming it's a briggs and straton motor.
1.you empty the gas from the mower
2. Remove the gas tank
3. remove the Pull start housing usually about 8 bolts
4. remove the Magnetic housing from around the fly wheel
5. remove the Flywheel nut from on top the fly wheel
6. Use a gear puller, one used for cars. Usually the Harmonic balance puller works best
7. use a little hammer and a flat head screw driver and tap out the old Key
8. replace with New Key
9. put the fly wheel back in, Noting the grove on the inside must line up with the Key way to go back in properly
10. Put the fly wheel nut back on. tight.
11. replace the Magnetics and adjust. A match book cover is almost the perfect distance. Place one between the magnetics and the fly week. adjust the magnets so that the match book cover can be pulled out but not flopping about. good snug fit. tighten it all up.
12. Put the Pull start housing back on
13. Carb and gas tank
Put some gas in it and PULL..
Oh yeah.. most likely. your Key on the flywheel is not your problem. Might want to take off the blade on the Lawn mower and use that gear puller to pull that blade rest off. there is a Key there too. That key is the most likely to sheer because of hitting a stump or rock or something hard. It will also throw off the balance of a mower and stop it from running smoothly.

Answer 2

I agree with Stardreamer2002 - since youre dealing with a pushmower, a special puller for the flywheel isnt needed ( unless its electric start with teeth around the flywheel). Flywheel keys are not intended to be used more then once, but are designed to break when the motor stops suddenly. Keep in mind, when using a puller, when the flywheel comes off, it might surprise you - itll give a loud BANG, because its a press fit. Something ive always done is to put a ever so light coat of never sieze on the crank end/inside the flywheel/keyway, helps keep rust away and easier to come apart the next time ( if need be).
An easy way to keep the flywheel from rotating- use a c clamp - run it up under the flywheel and let it rest against the engine block - it helps when loosening or tightening the crank nut.
Kidd

Answer 3

It would help to know what engine you have. With a briggs you can use a puller to remove the flywheel. Tecumsehs don't have holes for a puller. They take a different one. Once you remove the cowling and the nut you will be able to see if the key is sheared. If the grooves in the flywheel and the crankshaft are still aligned and the key is visible it should be ok. Why do you want to replace the key? Is this the result of a problem like hitting something? The flywheel key is the first key to shear. It is made of aluminium. The key in the blade adaptor is steel. Make sure you take the sparkplug wire off any time that your messing with the blade. Also, to remove the flywheel you don't have to mess with the ignition module.

Answer 4

Take off starter cover and take bolt off from center of fly wheel and put small pry bar under flywheel and tap center shaft with hammer and it will pop up the most easiest way I do it and been doing small engine repair for 23 years

Answer 5

get a gear puller from any local hardware store (directions come with the puller) then you should be able to get a new key from that same store. you may have to cut it down to the correct length