Buying a car can be a dream come true. However, owning a vehicle is more than just an opportunity to head off on a romantic getaway with your significant other or to make your shopping trips more comfortable. It requires a commitment to keeping your private transport safe and running smoothly. Cars break down from time to time, so you have to know at least some basic information on how to repair your vehicle with no prior experience. Today, we’ll talk about a Woodruff key and how to remove it, if it is necessary.
What is a Woodruff key?
A Woodruff key is a common thing when it comes to cars, lawnmowers, and other machines. It is a specific type of key that can be used in various machines and mechanisms. This ground-breaking solution was created by W.N. Woodruff in the late 1880s.
How does a Woodruff key work? Generally speaking, it connects gears and other elements to the drive shafts of engines. How does it look? It has a half-moon shape, which offers a tighter connection for different components of various machines and engines.
A Woodruff key is usually placed in the hub of a pulley or gear. As a result, the pulley or gear doesn’t slip off the shaft it is connected to. These keys are widely used in motorized tools such as lawnmowers, snowblowers, and vehicles.
How to remove a Woodruff key at ease
Sometimes, you need to fix a Woodruff key in your motorized devices. By detaching a key, you can change other components of your machine, and replacing a broken key can improve performance. Here is how you can take a Woodruff key off at home. In most cases, it is possible to do on your own, without specific equipment.
1. Start with penetrating fluid
Apply the fluid onto the pulley to get rid of any corrosion. Rust usually makes the pulley incredibly difficult to move. Penetrating fluid can come in various forms. The ones that are packed into spray containers are super handy, but you can choose a bottle of penetrating fluid you already have in your garage or what is available in your local store.
2. Take the threaded fastener away
The threaded fastener keeps the pulley in its proper place. It can be pulled out with the help of a crank remover. If it is damaged, you will need something more advanced, for example, pliers.
3. Lift the pulley nut
Stabilize the top of the pulley. Apply a socket till the pulley can be easily separated.
4. Find the key
Once your pulley is free, find a Woodruff key. It looks like a semicircular piece of metal. Grab the sides of the key and take it away.
Remember that Woodruff keys are fragile, so it is very easy to damage them. You should be careful while working with them. However, keys are generally inexpensive and can be purchased in stores or on the web. Also, you should get rid of any bits to prevent further damage.