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Arrgghhh! Stuck woodruff key on water pump!

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4.9K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  Mini-x Fan  
#1 ·
Dove into my 150SX Yamaha last night to replace the water pump. It had gotten to where it wouldn't cool at idle RPM. Dropped the lower unit no problems. Housing, no problem. Plastic collar that is usually a problem? No problem. Get the impeller of the drive shaft, and the problem rears it's ugly little head. Looks like the woodruff key that was used last time is soft cast iron. Badly rusted and soft as a pancake. Couple of taps with the hammer and it already started to flatten out. Tried direct heat, hammer and punch from the top to no avail. Going to get a small diameter cutoff wheel for the dremel and try to slit it longways. It's been soaking in Breakfree since last night.
 
#5 ·
Oh I feel your pain!! Mine was stuck like chuck. Soaked it in PB Blaster for 3 days and no go. Went out and bought a torch to head it up a bit and spray some lube on it while hot and let it sit and still no go. Went with the chisel and only got the corner to bend. Went to last resort with a cut off wheel on a Dremel and basically ate away most of the Woodruff key with the cut off wheel before it finally came out. You cant see it very well but it was like only the outer skin of the key left by the time it came out.

Picture shows what was left of the key when it finally came out.

Once you get it out, make sure you use the wire brush wheek with the Dremel and clean the slot really well. I also put a lil dab of anti-seize on the new key before I put it in so I dont have to go thru the same thing next time around.
 

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