woodruff key

[bartle90]

How do you properly put in the woodruff key?

I can see how it goes in but I have already installed one and it broke. Are there any tricks to know that it is on correctly?
Thanks

[evilone]

I'm not sure of any "tricks" but the curved part of the woodruff key faces the crank. Then slide flywheel on with the groove aligned with the key.

[Bear45-70]

The key is to align the flywheel (stator). It does not act as a drive piece. If you are breaking it after install, on startup with the engine running, then you are not torquing the flywheel nut properly. I know of no way of breaking it while installing the flywheel.

[bartle90]

Alright so how do I make sure it is torqued properly?
Do I just need to tighten it with a torque wrench or do I need some special tool?... I have gone through two woodruff keys already. So how do I tell if it is installed correctly?
Thanks

[evilone]

Something is not right if woodruff keys are breaking. Yes you need to use a torque wrench and tighten to specs in the manual for whatever you are working on. Maybe post some pics of the flywheel and crank?

[Bear45-70]

Listen carefully! You pretty much can't install a woodruff wrong and still install the flywheel or whatever part you are using the key to align with the shaft. It is always not enough torque on the nut on the shaft that shears the key. The pressure on the taper, which is applied by the torque of the nut that holds the flywheel to the crank.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

You also need some way to hold the assembly so it doesn't spin as you apply torque.
Clean the slot for the key; if it juts out higher than spec, that might explain why they're breaking. A broken sliver from the old one, ya know?

[bartle90]

Ok so I'm gonna rent a torque wrench from the auto zone loan a tool, but do you know of anything I can rent to keep it from spinning when I torque?
Thanks

[Bear45-70]

Strap or chain wrench.

[bartle90]

I bought a torque wrench, torqued it correctly, and the woodruff key sheared once again. I think that the flywheel is what is causing the problem, the slot where the key slips into is worn down/stripped.

[Bear45-70]

I bought a torque wrench, torqued it correctly, and the woodruff key sheared once again. I think that the flywheel is what is causing the problem, the slot where the key slips into is worn down/stripped.

Chances are you scored and ruined the flywheel AND the crankshaft when you spun it the first 2 times. The taper on the crank and the flywheel has to be perfectly smooth. If it is scored, the flywheel and crank can not seat together properly. Just a new flywheel will not fix it. You have to repair or replace the crank. I only ever salvaged one crank.

[yamahauler660r]

if you have a spree, the crankshaft/flywheel could be the wrong combination. (they made 2 different size shafts/flywheels for the spree for different years)

[bartle90]

I have a 98 elite. Im pretty sure the crankshaft is fine though so ill just have to find a new flywheel...

[Bear45-70]

I have a 98 elite. Im pretty sure the crankshaft is fine though so ill just have to find a new flywheel...

If the flywheel is bad then in most likelihood the crank is also bad and your wishful thinking will not change that. Either have someone who knows what they are doing inspect both the flywheel and crank or have it fail again with the new flywheel.

[bartle90]

Do you know if a flywheel from a 1990 sa50 elite will fit on my 98 sa50p elite?
Thanks