550XP Sheared Flywheel Key

[kingOFgEEEks]

OK, so let me start out by saying that this is all my own dumb fault.

I worked on my 550XP, and after pulling the flywheel to inspect the seal, I put it back on and hand tightened it. I got distracted, and forgot to put a wrench on it to torque it down.

Long story short, I put the recoil back on, pull started the saw, and on about the 3rd or 4th pull, there was no resistance all of the sudden. Crap. I pulled the recoil, and there was the flywheel, spinning freely with a loose nut on the end of the crank.

These flywheels have the key machined as part of the flywheel, so I can't just get another key for it. Is there any way to machine a slot into the flywheel to accept a steel square stock key? Is it worth the effort, or should I just look for a junker saw with good flywheel somewhere?

 

[cus_deluxe]

Just clean it up, re-align it and tighten it down. The key doesnt hold the flywheel, just locates it. The taper on the shaft holds it in place.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Cool. I guess now just to make sure it aligns correctly.

 

[cus_deluxe]

Yep, just mark then end of the fw where the key was, mark the crank and mount it. Very important to clean any smeared aluminum and make sure both surfaces are clean and smooth.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Thanks. That makes sense - if it's a friction fit, it will need to be tight.

 

[pro94lt]

Take a magic marker and mark the flywheel the best you can as well as the crank. I've got a couple saws running daily with no flywheel keys... on my ms150t it took a couple times to get it right.