Fitting Shear Key
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You’ll find useful resources on this page, tips, links to tools, parts and supplies required to complete your repair.
Backfiring, no starts, pull cord snapping back violently and oil leaks are all signs that your shear-key is damaged.
If you’ve had a blade strike, then it’s very likely you need to watch this video. The good news is a shear-key only costs a few dollars.
Before working on your mower be sure to remove the plug wire to prevent accidental starting, see “Repair Safety Video”.
Tools & Parts
To nail this procedure you may need the following tools, parts and supplies.
Ratchet Tool Set
Before we can do anything, we'll need tools. I've selected this set as I own some Craftsman tools and while I have worn some out, they did do a lot of work. So I expect this set will last the occasional user quite a long time.
This set carries both metric and standard sockets and that's important, because some mowers will have both type of fastener sizes. Picture links to Amazon.com
Impact Wrench
Drill/Screw Gun
Torque Wrench
Teng 1/2 Torque wrench, fantastic tool I use it every day and mine is still going strong. A torque wrench is advised for tightening components such as flywheel nuts and blades. The torque spec of these components is very important. Picture links to Amazon.com
If you are considering buying a torque wrench, definitely check out my review of Teng torque wrench.
John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Lawnmowerfixed.com. I've been a mechanic for over twenty years, I use my knowledge and experience to write "How to" articles that help fellow gear-heads with all aspects of mechanical repairs, from lawn mowers to classic cars.