How do you remove a rusted pulley from a lawnmower?
Lisa R. asked:
I have been trying to remove a rusted pulley from a shaft in a lawnmower engine and broke a bolt puller trying to do it. I need help. Thanks.
Thank you so much for all your answers. Will try them all out!
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I have been trying to remove a rusted pulley from a shaft in a lawnmower engine and broke a bolt puller trying to do it. I need help. Thanks.
Thank you so much for all your answers. Will try them all out!
August 26th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
a product called “Aerokroil” (google it) works great for loosening up rusted and seized parts. You spray the whole thing down that tap it over and over. Repeat the process a few times and let the fluid soak in. Then id try a hub puller, it’s a claw type puller, POSI-LOCK is a brand i’ve used(google it) it’s strong, the pulley will give before the puller does! Greg M
August 29th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Good idea above, also keep in mind that pullies are cheap, I’d cut the little bugger off! Scott
August 31st, 2010 at 7:51 am
Soak thoroughly with penetrating oil, remove the set screw that holds the pulley to the shaft and tap it off with a mallet or use a pulley puller. Just guessing
August 31st, 2010 at 8:59 am
I am presuming the pulley is on the underside of a rotary lawnmower. There is very likely a setscrew (sometimes 2) holding it, be sure to remove it (them) completely, then, scrape or sand off all the rust you can get access to from the pulley to the end of the shaft*. (Once you get it moving, there is no point in dragging it over still more rust to get it off). Add penetrating oil down the set screw hole(s) and on both sides of the pulley. Resist the temptation to pry against the engine sump with a gooseneck bar to get it loose, you will probably bust a hole in the cast aluminum sump first. When you tighten the wheel puller, tap on the pulley while it is in tension from the puller (often helps break it loose). If it starts to move, add more penetrating oil (it will now penetrate better).
If it starts to become too much of a job, like one of the others said, you can cut the pulley and replace. If you can’t get at it with a repricating saw. Try drilling a line of overlapping holes from the shaft to the edge, split and spread it preferably with bolt cutters, or by driving a chisel or large screwdriver into the slot. Go easy on the pounding so you don’t crack the crank case. It is just cast aluminum and won’t take a lot of abuse.
*If there is a step down in the shaft dia, you only need to clean it up to that point. Flying Dragon