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How to Replace Lawn Mower Flywheel Keys
How to Replace Lawn Mower Flywheel Keys. Lawnmower flywheel keys are designed to be flexible and break off when you have hit something hard. Usually, a broken flywheel key will prevent your lawnmower from starting and will cause the string to jerk away from you. The flywheel key's main purpose is to hold the flywheel in the proper position.
Lawnmower flywheel keys are designed to be flexible and break off when you have hit something hard. Usually, a broken flywheel key will prevent your lawnmower from starting and will cause the string to jerk away from you. The flywheel key's main purpose is to hold the flywheel in the proper position.
Things You'll Need
Socket set and/or wrenches
Replacement flywheel key
Flywheel holder
Hammer
Screwdriver
Remove the top of the lawnmower engine cover using your sockets or wrenches to remove the bolts. Typically, you need a 5/16, but sometimes the bolt sizes are different. To remove the bolts, you turn them counterclockwise.
Remove the flywheel cover using your socket wrenches. You will see the flywheel and the flywheel nut sticking up in the middle. Have a friend hold the flywheel holder on the flywheel as you unscrew the center bolt.
Use your screwdriver and hammer to remove the flywheel by placing the screwdriver on the side of the flywheel where the magnet is located. Use the hammer to tap on the other side, prying up on the screwdriver as you tap with the hammer.
Use your screwdriver and hammer again to tap out the broken flywheel key (located in the center of the flywheel hole). Place the screwdriver head against the bottom of the flywheel key and gently tap the screwdriver with the hammer. The flywheel key will lift out.
Install the new flywheel key by sliding it into the hole that contained the broken flywheel key. It should slide right in, but if it is more of a D shape, you will need to hold the key while you set the flywheel down.
Set the flywheel (with the new key in place) over the center bolt. Tighten the nut back on until it is very snug.
Rebolt the flywheel cover and lawnmower engine cover back on to the engine the same way you took them off.
