flywheel is stuck

jl_photo

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
108
my favorite gray haired outboard mechanic insist that i should hit the flywheel puller with a 5 pound hammer. this worries me a little i try to use the big hammer as last resort.

I have tried:

penetrating oil

good flywheel puller

mapp gas torch

small hammer on puller nut



has anyone had this problem?


(former hammer mechanic)
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: flywheel is stuck

Stay away from the torch. Some flywheels have the magnets glued. Groo says torch may make melty melty.

Give it a sold whack on the center screw of the puller with that 5lb-er.
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
5,125
Re: flywheel is stuck

A good flywheel puller should always get it unless there's a problem with it.
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: flywheel is stuck

Sometimes they need a little encouragement. A solid hit with a dead-blow from about 4" up can pop it loose when it seems like you've torqued it to hell and back. You don't want to wail on it, just enough for a good smack.

Make sure to clean up the crankshaft afterwards. If it's that hard to get off it probably has some issues.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: flywheel is stuck

i've had to leave the puller on some for 3 - 4 days, just go out every now and then and give the center bolt another turn. and a tap with a hammer. my bad ones usually break loose during the night.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: flywheel is stuck

A whack with a hammer is perfectly acceptable. But NOT that 5 pound sledge. 16 oz max. All you are trying to do is shock it a little, not bash the daylights out of it and bust a crank or thrust bearing.

Hold or lightly pry the flywheel upward just enough to take the weight off it and move it in the bearings before hitting the puller bolt. That gives the shaft someplace to go.

Remember, the hammer is secondary. The primary force comes from the puller. Tighten the heck out of it.

Heat, penetrants, and all that other stuff is unacceptable and unnecessary. It WILL come off with a puller and maybe a whack or two. It is not "stuck", it is supposed to be that way.
 

reload

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
368
Re: flywheel is stuck

I have good luck with rocking it back and forth with a pair of stiff screwdrivers.
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: flywheel is stuck

I have good luck with rocking it back and forth with a pair of stiff screwdrivers.

Excellent way to crack the flywheel.
Whack the center bolt, tighten the puller, whack it again................
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: flywheel is stuck

"A whack with a hammer is perfectly acceptable. But NOT that 5 pound sledge. 16 oz max. All you are trying to do is shock it a little, not bash the daylights out of it and bust a crank or thrust bearing."

Yeah, kind of what I meant by "don't wail on it". I use a 3lb-er and let the hammer and gravity do all the work with a 4-6 inch drop. I just guide it in.
 

jpg0511

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 7, 2007
Messages
38
Re: flywheel is stuck

Let me know if you figure it out let me know. I have been tring to get mine off for about two weeks. I have tried small hammers big hammers pry bars all with the puller tightened down. I am at work now but I left the puller on as tight as I could get it. Maybe in the two weeks I am at work it will pop. Good luck. Jason
 

reload

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
368
Re: flywheel is stuck

Excellent way to crack the flywheel.
Whack the center bolt, tighten the puller, whack it again................

I haven't cracked one in thirty years. I've never heard of anyone cracking one doing it this way. Have you experienced breaking one?
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: flywheel is stuck

I haven't cracked one in thirty years. I've never heard of anyone cracking one doing it this way. Have you experienced breaking one?

Nope, but I've never pulled an outboard flywheel like that. Did crack a lawnmower flywheel way back when.
 
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