woodruff woes

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:51 pm

ello again,

So now I need to know two things:

1. Where to buy a new woodruff key for my crankshaft (see post on shattered crankshaft gear wheel)

2. How to fit the key like a pro so as to reduce the possibility of this happening again!

Grateful for all (constructive) suggestions and advice

wibble

Post by **aupickup** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:13 pm

woodruff keys are from esm so no problem there

they should push on fairly easy when all lined up

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:18 pm

cheers, dude

couldn't find a crankshaft woodruff key on the ESM website.... I'll call them on Tuesday I guess.

Maybe the one I had was a bit mangled - I remember I had to call in help to get it off the shaft when disassembling!

Post by **les** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:45 pm

When you fit keys, they should be a tight fit, but not so as to shave metal off when you tap one in, if this is the case then use a flat file and rub the key over it, checking regularly so as not to be too loose, keep it parallel and when in place it should have the same amount sticking out each end!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:49 pm

thank you very much, les, for that clear explanation

very helpful

so you use a liddle hammer to tap the key into place?

Post by **bigginger** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:52 pm

Yup - well I do, anyway
a

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:58 pm

Minispares certainly have them - http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37578

but ouch - almost £5 !!!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:00 pm

thanks very much for that link, bmc

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:14 pm

Good news - Minisport have it for 81P . http://www.minisport.com/acatalog/Mini_Crankshafts.html
That's more like it.

Post by **les** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:25 pm

but ouch - almost £5 !!!

That ought to be an offence.

Post by **iddy** » Sat May 31, 2008 3:50 pm

Are woodruff keys the same size for all crankshafts?
I'm sure I seen a bag full in work last week. If they are all the same I'll have a look Monday, and anyone who wants one can have one (or more) for free.

Iddy

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:07 pm

got one from ESM second hand, for 50p or something like that. Have spent absolutely ages today trying to fit it in to the crankshaft - looks like the hole for it in the shaft has been deformed a while ago, no wonder the old key was so hard to get out

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:27 pm

Use Swiss file to ease the burrs on the slot in the crank - but DO NOT make it too wide!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:58 pm

well it was all chaos - the slots in the three relevant parts were all different, and none fitted the woodruff key. I ended up filing some slots a little wider, and sanding the key a little slimmer, and installing it with Loctite

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:24 pm

Ahh - that's called 'fitting' - well done ! You are now officially a 'fitter'!

Post by **les** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:50 pm

You are now officially a 'fitter'!

It used to take 5 years!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:59 am

can i have a uniform?

Post by **paulk** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:23 am

can i have a uniform?

It depends, can you suck air through your teeth and say 'You can't get the parts' and 'I can't start it till next Tuesday'

If the answer is yes you can wear the uniform

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:42 pm

... and "it'll cost ya"

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:10 pm

You're getting the idea!