TR2/3/3A small woodruff key

[sp53]

Does anyone have some ideas on how to remove a small woodruff key out of a water pump shaft?

 

[Don Elliott]

Each end of the woodruff key should have a pointed extension sticking out. Use a small (1/4" wide) cold chisel and a suitable hammer. Set the sharp end of the cold chisel under one of the extending points with the cold chisel parallel and touching along the surface of the pump shaft. Then use the hammer on the end of the cold chisel and the sharp point will lift the woodruff key out of its slot in the pump shaft.

Probably, there is rust or other crud that is wedging it in place making it hard to remove,

 

[Geo Hahn]

On the subject of 'cats, many ways to skin' --

Don's method is a good one. I have also yanked them out using a pair of dikes (the pliers, not ladies in comfortable shoes) by putting the flat side of the dikes against the shaft and gripping the key, then prying.

If all that fails to move it, sometimes you can tap it with a drift or punch on one end that is sticking up and cause it to rock in the keyway and loosen enough to return to the other methods.

I guess you realize all these approaches guarantee that you're going to need a new key.

 

[titanic]

I find that wire cutters (dikes, no not that kind) works. Looks like George beat me.
Berry

 

[TR3driver]

I have also yanked them out using a pair of dikes (the pliers, not ladies in comfortable shoes)

If both of the above methods fail, you've probably got some serious rust going on. Third choice would be to cut through the center of the key with a Dremel and abrasive cutoff blade. Won't matter if you nick the shaft a bit, but try not to cut too deep into it. Then use a dental pick or similar to pick out the pieces.

 

[TomMull]

I've not extracted as many keys as Randall but have found that if the hub comes off, the key will come out using Don's method. Make sure the chisel is narrower than the key. You may have to grind one. tom