TheSamba.com :: View topic - Woodruff Key Half moon alternator pulley installing

Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:58 pm

Is there any trick to install the half moon shaped woodruff key for the alternator pulley? Everytime I try the woodruff key moves and I cant hammer the pulley. Is there anything I am not doing like trying to glue the woodruff key to the alternator and then just hammer the pulley?

Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:28 pm

Place the key onto the shaft exactly parallel. Tap it lightly in place. Now, GENTLY tap the rearmost side of the key down (closest to the threads) and leave a slight (very slight!) angle from the rear up to the front of the keyway. The pulley will start over the lowered area and, as you tap the pulley on, the key will be straightened back to parallel when the whole pulley is pushed on.

Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:54 pm

drs1023 wrote: Place the key onto the shaft exactly parallel. Tap it lightly in place. Now, GENTLY tap the rearmost side of the key down (closest to the threads) and leave a slight (very slight!) angle from the rear up to the front of the keyway. The pulley will start over the lowered area and, as you tap the pulley on, the key will be straightened back to parallel when the whole pulley is pushed on.

That's also how I do this.

Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:54 pm

Make sure all surfaces are clean, so it doesn't get hung up on dirt.

Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:53 pm

I had this issue just today. The first thing to look at is the pulley. Make sure there is no bur or booger on the keyway. Use the key to slide it in and out of the pulley. Next, using a center punch, punch one side of the key down near the bottom. This will raise the metal just slightly. This will hold the key in the slot without it moving when you slide the pulley over it.

Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:16 pm

heating the pulley up helps too, put it on the stove, or let it sit in boiling water for a few minutes. smear some never sieze on the shaft, makes it easier to take off 20 years from now.