XT2 Engine Pulley Removal

[StarTech]

Just be aware when heating it usually takes more than a propane bottle torch. Here I use a ACE/OX torch to quickly heat the hub to expand it. This quick heating only slowly transfers to the crankshaft so work as quickly as you can. A propane torch just heats too slowly and the crankshaft will heat sink it and will expand just as much.

Since this is a MTD rider it is best to remove the engine as the engine deck tabs are usually in the way of most pullers. Here I use bearing separator puller, heat, and an impact to remove these stuck on pulleys. I have yet to heat damage a seal; of course, I have experience in doing this by having to remove many pulleys over the years.

As for penetrating fluid I will be trying a new one in a week or so that claims to work a lot better than PB Blaster. Only testing will prove if this is true or not so I not mentioning the product by name until I get to try it myself. I already got one project to try it on.

 

[CubbyCommando]

Hi All,

Trying to get this engine pulley off so I can replace the drive belt and that sucker is stuck on there pretty good. Any tips on how to remove? I've been trying with a 3 jaw puller but am afraid I'll bend the pulley.

Model
CC XT2 131QA1CQ010


View attachment 69900

Update: I was able to remove the pulley after soaking the pulley (from the top) with PB Blaster daily for 3 days and then using heat, air hammer and 3 jaw puller. Completely destroyed the pulley but no harm done to the seals or shaft. I sanded the rust off the shaft with emery cloth and generously added anti-seize to prevent this in the future.

Lessons learned: For anyone with the same issue I would recommend not messing with it at all and just remove the engine bolts and lifting the engine a bit to thread the belt on (StarTech recommended this but I already bent the pulley). Youtuber "Individualized Repair" has a video showing how to do it and looks a heck a lot easier than all the shenanigan's I went thru to get the pully off.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in the tips and tricks on how to do this. Cheers.

 

[ddbtdd]

Hi All,

Trying to get this engine pulley off so I can replace the drive belt and that sucker is stuck on there pretty good. Any tips on how to remove? I've been trying with a 3 jaw puller but am afraid I'll bend the pulley.

Model
CC XT2 131QA1CQ010


View attachment 69900

Why would you need to remove the pulley to replace the belt? If you push in the brake and then lock down your parking brake, there should be enough slack in the belt for it to come off. I've been there and done that.

 

[Bob Leistner]

There is such a tool as a pulley puller and I am surprised that everyone of you don't own a couple. They look very much like a bearing puller. They almost always make short work of removing pulleys of most any size that we work with.

 

[Steven65]

You talking the electric clutch! I do know you know enough to remove that bolt up inside. Before you take bolt all the way out, Hit on wrench etc and push down on pully at top with whatever u can find. Wood is good lol. Mine will pop down everytime.

 

[Steven65]

If don't work, start, warn up mower if it runs. Try again.

 

[kjonxx]

air hammer, turn, air hammer turn till one full revolution of eng usually works.

 

[Steven65]

I say.. Let bolt a little loose.. Not too far. Tap with hammer and with a pry bar or wood at top pulley usuaually will drop down. Is stuck with that "key". I was wrong before. Make sure you do it cold. But if that doesn't work, I have got some of them loose when I let them run a while.

 

[Johner]

Lot of time the pully's hang up on the key. They jam up putting pully's on. As one surjection drill along the keyway and split along the key it will avoid ruining the shaft The air hammer will help a lot.

 

[hlw49]

Get them in all the time where some genuis used a pry bar between the pully and the belt guide tabs. Then you have to get it off. Drill holes in the pulley and use a harmonic balance puller run bolts through the puller and the holes in the pulley and put nuts on the top of the pulley. I put an allen head bolt in the crank for the puller bolt and get them off this way.