I'm working on a old toro 2cyl push mower. The flywheel key is sheared and I can't get the wheel off. I tried prying while tapping the nut wit a hammer. Its made of cast aluminum and have already broke two fins. I don't have a thread in puller. Any suggestions?
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Two mistakes often made using the pry bar and hammer method is:
1) too much force is applied to the pry bar. The only force needed there is to lift the weight of the flywheel and crank shaft the distance of the thrust bearing clearance. 5 pounds of weight on the end of a wonder bar (nail bar) is plenty.
2) the hammer was too small. Flush the nut with the end of the shaft and give the end of the shaft a good smack (subjective) with a 3 lb. hammer. Second choice of hammers is an 8 lb. sledge hammer dropped from about a foot distance above the shaft end.
Brute force won't usually separate tapers as well as shock force.