Need to Remove Keys from Shaft

[Dreaming Yachtsman]

I am replacing the seals and changing the oil on my Lofrans Tigres anchor after 10 years (supposed to do this every 2 years per the manual but I only recently found out about that recommendation) and am having trouble removing the flat keys from the shaft (pieces 479 and 478 on page 8 of 12 of the manual (http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-...400AN-1200.pdf). How can I get them out without chewing them up with a pliers or vice-grip? They are inside the opening in the gear case so I can't get a good angle to pull.

Thanks to GordMay for the link to the manual in his post to another thread (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post437565).

[atoll]

i find a blow torch and some sae50 oil dripped on once the shaft is nice and hot will bubble most of the nastys out and free up almost any thing with repeated treatments.

[steamgoat]

From looking at the diagram, do they need to be removed ? If so maybe a sharp center punch on the end at the best upward angle you can get,and a few taps. Good luck, Bruce.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by atoll

i find a blow torch and some sae50 oil dripped on once the shaft is nice and hot will bubble most of the nastys out and free up almost any thing with repeated treatments.

I work in a machine shop and we do this all the time. Use a flat blade screw driver. Aim at the rounded end of the key where it projects from the keway. Tap it on the rounded end a few times roughly parallel to the shaft centerline and it should crawl out. If you can get a bit of an angle in your favor away from centerline it will help. It doesn't matter if you nick this part of the key. Note that keys are really cheap if damage is needed.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

I work in a machine shop and we do this all the time. Use a flat blade screw driver. Aim at the rounded end of the key where it projects from the keway. Tap it on the rounded end a few times roughly parallel to the shaft centerline and it should crawl out. If you can get a bit of an angle in your favor away from centerline it will help. It doesn't matter if you nick this part of the key. Note that keys are really cheap if damage is needed.

+1,if that still doent work get out the blow torch,the oil will bubble out any corrosion holding it in place,holding it secrly up right in a vice is a good idea as well

[Cheechako]

Get your self a piece of brass rod and use it to give them a tap in the upward direction as mentioned. Good to have in your tool set anyway. Does the oil degrade on it's own over time? I wonder why they recommend to change it..... when you think about it, very little rpms go through a windlass in it's life time as compared to most any machinery out there that's run one day....

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Get your self a piece of brass rod and use it to give them a tap in the upward direction as mentioned. Good to have in your tool set anyway. Does the oil degrade on it's own over time? I wonder why they recommend to change it..... when you think about it, very little rpms go through a windlass in it's life time as compared to most any machinery out there that's run one day....

biggest problem with those whinches is the oil leaking out over time then running dry

[Dreaming Yachtsman]

Thanks to all responders. You were a big help. I used Nicholson58's technique with a screwdriver - worked great!

Steamgoat, you were correct - I did not need to remove the keys after all as the shaft simply slides out of the bearing and seal (with a bit of help from a hammer).

Windlass seals have been replaced and new oil added. All that remains is testing the windlass at anchor.