Lawn Mower Question
 

I have mower question for you DIY types.

Our push mower ran over a rock (ssshhh...it was me mowing). We determined that the flywheel key did it's job and sheared off.

To replace the key, the flywheel has to come off. I purchased the flywheel puller but I'm perplexed as to how to use it.

The flywheel "holes" have no thread in them. Nor do the holes go all the way through. How will the bolts work? Any ideas?

Wow, that must've been SOME rock! I've hit stuff with mine before, but never sheared anything off.

Maybe a picture would help, if you can post one.

The flywheel and the blades are usually on opposite sides of the motor. Are you sure it was the flywheel key that broke?

Also are you sure there are no threads in the holes in the flywheel? Those threads can often hide under a smooth layer of dirt.

Is it the kind of puller that has a couple bolts that supposedly thread into holes on the flywheel and a large central bolt that presses against the crankshaft?

If so, it probably won't work for your engine. I use the kind of "puller" that is a big haxagonal device that looks kind of like a screwdriver handle with no blade. This screws down onto the crankshaft after you take the nut off. Then you take a large screwdriver and pry upwards gently between the block and the flywheel and tap the top of the "screwdriver handle" that you screwed onto the crankshaft with a hammer until the flywheel pops off.

This is the tool I'm talking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FLYWHEEL-PULLER-FOR-BRIGGS-AND-STRATTON-7-95-DEL_W0QQitemZ200223883803QQihZ010QQcategoryZ82248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Agreed, a picture of the top of the flywheel would be great...

Yes. It has two bolts and a plate the presses against the middle shaft.

Ahhhhhh...I bought the wrong thing. Chalk one up for the blonde moment. Thanks!

That's not even a blonde thing... There's so many tools out there, it's no surprise , anyone could be confused...

Ok. I'm looking at this thing and wondering how it works.

So I screw it on the top then tapping it will free the flywheel? How does it free the flywheel? i'm going to get the tool from lowes today but tell me the dynamics of it please!

I'm intrigued

OK, well, make sure that's the right tool as well... Is your engine B&S or Tecumseh? To use that tool, you take the nut securing the flywheel off and screw the tool down in it's place. It should NOT touch the flywheel but leave a small gap.

Take a big screwdriver and place it in between the engine block and the flywheel, ensuring that you're not prying against any wires or the magneto, etc... When you pry up with it, you should see the flywheel move upwards slightly. It's important to see this upward motion because if you don't, you'll be hammering against the bearings and that's not good...

With it held upwards with the screwdriver, gently tap the flywheel tool with a hammer and the flywheel will pop loose. Then unscrew the tool and remove the flywheel.

KarTek is correct. My father had a small engine repair shop we pulled a lot of flywheels. When a rotary mower hits a rock the key will shear on the flywheel and in the worst case the crankshaft will bend.

The majority of the time the flywheel nut can be backed off enough to protect the threads. A few smacks with a hammer and pressure with a large screwdriver under the flywheel will free it.

Make sure you disconnect the spark plug wire and clean up the flywheel while its off.

Yeah, I mushroomed my share of crank shaft threads on go-kart engines as a kid...

what 865 said
 

back off the nut on top of the flywheel so you hit that and not the crankshaft. Get a medium to large screwdriver or small pry bar. Lift up under the flywheel pretty hard, then rap the nut with a hammer. It should pop up in about 3-4 hits.

Happens pretty often, don't feel bad. That and the crud in the bowl of the carb are probably the 2 biggest issues with small motors.