WTF Lawn Tractor Part 2 - w/ pics

[dmurray14]

Hello folks,

I'm back again...but the tractor still isn't. In reference to this thread, I have gotten all but the flywheel off. I just can't get that thing to come off. I got the washer and bolt off, but the thing still doesn' t lift out. I don't know what's stopping it - I tried shooting some WD40 down there along with giving it a few whacks with the hammer, and its still locked on there somehow. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

PIC 1
PIC 2
PIC 3

 

[crab]

You need a flywheel puller.

 

[JC]

It's mounted on a tapered shaft. There's a tool available, looks like a short punch, you smack the shaft down out of the flywheel. Or maybe you can use a puller.


JC

 

[dmurray14]

Oh jeez, this is no good. How much is a flywheel puller gonna run me?? Edit: And where do I find one?

 

[DOSfan]

Okay, I can not be certain (Those pics aren't terribly clear. Light reflecting off the penetrating oil, and the second one is kind of blurry.), but it looks like the flywheel is welded onto the shaft.

But that could just be the light reflections.....

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
Oh jeez, this is no good. How much is a flywheel puller gonna run me?? Edit: And where do I find one?

Try a local small engine repair shop, or possible a tool rental store. I bought one of the punch-type at a hardware store.

 

[dmurray14]

Yeah, sorry about the sucky pics....but I'm pretty sure it's not welded on to the shaft - I can see the pin that's there to line it up, and I don't know why it would have a bolt on top if it was welded.

 

[dmurray14]

I just found this guy, which looks like it's what I need. How does it work?

Dan

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
I just found this guy, which looks like it's what I need. How does it work?

Dan

Thats the one.

Center slides over shaft, bolts go through puller into two of those four holes Tighten the bolts, and off it pops.

 

[Ornery]

You sure that flywheel has to come off just to change that pinion?

You may not need a flywheel puller, if those 1/2"-13 threaded holes are what I think they are. Are they 'thru' holes? What's behind them? You may be able to run a bolt down them and have it pop the flywheel right off.

 

[dmurray14]

Ornery, what do you mean by "thru" holes? I'm pretty sure they go all the way through the flywheel, as they had bolts in them holding on a metal plate before. Also, how would tightening bolts into those holes help me loosen the flywheel? I'm a little lost here...

Thanks,
Dan

 

[enginjon]

If you have a small pry bar, you can pry under the flywheel against a solid piece on the block. And then using a mallet give a firm, but not too hard tap on the top of the crank shaft. Try with increasing amounts of prying pressure and tapping power until it frees. Much quicker than using a flywheel puller.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
I just found this guy, which looks like it's what I need. How does it work?

Dan

I'd say, looking at my 18hp, that you run the nuts up the bolts, set the unit on top of the crank, thread the bolts into the flywheel, then wrench the nuts down the bolt, thereby pulling up on the crank.

 

[Ornery]

That puller would be the best way to go. You may even be able to duplicate it with cheap scrap metal and a couple long bolts.

I thought those threaded holes may be thru. They could easily be used to push the flywheel off it's hub, depending on what you have to push against underneath. I'd hate to see you run the bolts against the aluminum block! :Q I'll see if the parts diagram shows what's behind there...

Edit: See below...

 

[DOSfan]

Thru Holes (aka Jack Off Holes): If there is a solid lip or ridge of metal (I am going to call the base) just behind the holes, you run a long bolt down through the holes to press against the base. This lifts the flywheel up.

Fly Wheel Puller: If it works like the ones I have used, you put the metal plate over the shaft (may need to use the original nut to hold it high enough) and then you run the long bolts through the plate into those holes we are now refering to Thru Holes. You tighten the bolts to lift the flywheel.

 

[dmurray14]

Got it...I guess I'll just buy the puller and do it right.

Ornery, you're scaring me with this talk of running a bolt into the aluminum block...is this still possible with a puller?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Ornery]

If you buy their puller, there is no way you'll hit anything under that flywheel. Diagram shows that puller as Reference #363, Part #19203 Flywheel puller. They wouldn't bother showing that if you could simply run a long bolt down through those tapped holes. I can't see what's under it anyway, so either fabricate that puller or buy it.

 

[dmurray14]

OK, thanks Ornery. I really appreciate all the help! I AM gonna fix this!

 

[JC]

I can't see what's under it anyway

What's under the flywheel is the magneto.....

 

[Ornery]

I mean something solid to push against, like a big cast iron hub of some kind.

Doesn't seem to be anything that substantial, Flywheel.

 

[JC]

Yeah, I would use a puller. But a good puller doesn't pull on the same threads that are tightening...as in tightening the bolts into the threaded flywheel holes. A good one pulls on bolts that are already threaded into the holes. I don't know if I've described it very well....but it prevents pulling the threads out of the flywheel holes.

 

[dmurray14]

Hmm, I don't quite get what you're saying JC. I ordered that puller that I linked to, will that be ok?

 

[JC]

Since Briggs recommends it, it's prolly fine.

For what I'm talking about, imagine their puller has a threaded hole in the center, with a large bolt in it. You run the 2 bolts down into the flywheel, then tighten the center bolt down against the end of the crank. That way, the only wear to threads is in the puller, not the flywheel. Is that any better? I need a picture...

 

[dmurray14]

OK, I finally got the flywheel puller. Now what? How do I use it?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
OK, I finally got the flywheel puller. Now what? How do I use it?

Thanks,
Dan

You slip it over the shaft,then fit both bolts through the side holes into a corresponding thread on the flywheel. Tighthen alternatingly so you aren't just turning one side.