DIY How To Remove Chainsaw Flywheel Without Puller - Stihl Husqvarna, Echo, Poulan

Sometimes you need to remove a chainsaw flywheel without the proper tools. This is a tutorial on how to easily remove a flywheel without damaging the flywheel, crankshaft, or crankcase. This is removing the flywheel on a Stihl 034 chainsaw. I don't think the flywheel has ever been removed on this saw.
Stihl Flywheel Puller www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...

[@doglegjake6788]

i cracked a flywheel one time on a poulan wild thing chainsaw when i removed it ,, i didnt know it was cracked ,, i did a lot of mods on this saw and it was a beast , needless to say i started it between my leggs and it went to full power 17,000 rpm and the flywheel exploded ,, my nuts and my left leg looked like they got ran through a meat shredder , my nuts were blown all over my neighbors house it looked like a pile of pulled pork got thrown all over the side of his house oh it was a mess

[@andrewbrockhoff2976]

Bloody hell Jake! I wondered where that screaming was coming from, guess it was you. Hope they got all the flywheel bits out before they stitched you back together.

[@deeremeyer1749]

That kind of RPM would probably explode a perfect flywheel. They're never a solid one-piece unit and all the machining and voids in them create all kinds of stresses and stress risers and built in fracture points. Engine overspeed is responsible for most catastrophic engine failures where a loss of lubrication isn't the primary cause. And 99% of the time its a complete waste of time and money and will cost you usable power killing "low-end torque" to gain "high-rpm horsepower". Horsepower is a theoretical work rate used to compare and test and rate stock engines using a standard method. Its calculated correctly by measuring torque at a specific engine speed and plugging them into the HP formula. Otherwise its "extrapolated" from acceleration rates. Any dynomometer is only as useful, accurate and reliable as the people who built it and who operate it. Dynos that do not apply a direct load to a running engine to SLOW IT DOWN and measure true torque production are more or less useless for measuring true engine performance. You can get "free horsepower" from any engine by raising its "high idle speed" or "rated speed" until torque output decreases faster than the RPM increase can compensate for it but you haven't actually gained any real engine "power" and its progressively less efficient the faster it runs. Pros make torque. Shadetree "performance experts" just spin the engine faster and/or fudge dyno numbers to sell lies. How quickly 4-stroke small engines started kicking the hit out of 2-strokes as soon as the minimal investment in building high-performance 4-strokes became necessary due to emissions regulations proved its torque that makes power and speed that makes money for manufacturers and mechanics that know how to exploit the ignorance of consumers.

[@obfuscated3090]

Nuts just cause problems like child support. You won't miss them and they'll probably be outlawed soon anyway.

[@CJSaws]

DEEREMEYER1....You probably still remember the days when folks believed a person would die if reaching a speed near or faster than 70mph.

[@jacoblang2712]

You never had any to begin with ,if you thought that was a saw

[@jawadmajeedahmed6933]

Saw arrived yesterday kzbin.infoUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.

[@fishnriver]

It works better if you put a folded thick towel or foam rubber under the saw so it has a place to go rather than laying on the hard bench and the flywheel can( in theory will stay still) plus it put less stress on the bearings and seals also.

[@coachsaltgrade8025]

Thanks I watched just before I change chain saw clutch & fly wheel today. Video & explanation very good. I used brass bar to tap with instead of punch.

[@derekkchung]

You need to lift the saw up by the flywheel and hit otherwise you are just hitting the crankshaft into the table.

[@derekkchung]

@@MacGyver1946 2:47 U are shifting the crankshaft (plus the flywheel and the clutch) to the other side. What u need to do is to lift the saw up by the flywheel and hit the nut with 13mm socket on it (that center punch will work too IF U HAVE 3 HANDS).

[@derekkchung]

@@MacGyver1946 please understand what I was trying to point out. It is simple physics. There is a 1mm ish gap left and right sides if u look inside the crankcase walls. When u just hit the crankshaft without lifting the saw by the flywheel, u are just shifting the crankshaft in relate to the crankcase.

[@derekkchung]

@@MacGyver1946On behalf of everyone who watched your video, I thank you for your time and effort making it. However, I am truly trying tell u if u don't hold the weight of the saw BY THE FLYWHEEL, u are not shocking the flywheel off the shaft. 8 out 10 your method will work but u are also shifting the crankshaft. That might mess up the oil worm gear position (on stihl 1128 for example.)

[@joekelly4870]

Thanks for the video. Love the recovery on the knuckle buster. Epic lol

[@uwandaroberts9897]

I am guessing this method can be used on my Stihl BG86-CE as the flywheel has broken inside, was gonna brute force my way into it but I will try this method.

[@barrettbarker8343]

I have watched this several times. Very good video! It did work for me once and I expect that it will again this time, just need to see it to believe it again I guess lol.

[@CJSaws]

The oem puller from stihl is about 6 bucks. Keep in mind the entire crank shifts when you smack the stub like that. The bearings may not last long if that stress isn't relieved before running the saw.

[@tallfarmboy]

Chainsaw Jim I've got an aftermarket puller that cost about $8... I don't think the OEM Stihl one costs that little. I believe I saw it listed for about $20 somewhere. There are a lot of cheap aftermarket pullers, though.... They all work pretty good. This video was geared to the DIY guys who might not have the need to purchase a puller.

[@kelvinching1844]

How do you relieve the stress that you're referring to? How do you know it is stressed? What other problems can be caused? Oem knocker seems to do the same thing as a punch.

[@kelvinching1844]

Need to clarify my comment, Huqvarna OEM tool is called a knocker, not a puller, seems the same as a punch method, just that it threads onto crankshaft.

[@martintarin5078]

@@kelvinching1844 a puller use a diferent mechanic than the punch

[@martintarin5078]

@@tallfarmboy hurting a crankshift will be more expensive than 20,30,0r 40 dolars,,for a regular guy,,,will mean thw cost of the chainsaw,,,pullers are the right thing to get the job done

[@fuzzzeballs]

credit where due it worked, no lump hammer needed, im impressed mate thanks!

[@jimmylittle9081]

Thanks farm boy - you just saved me a lot of time and effort. I had seen this method before but had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder. It worked well and I got the job done on my Husqvarna brush/weed eater. I have a 143R-II, which I don't think you can purchase in the U.S. but it is sold for heavy-duty use in Peru where we live. I busted the fins off and have to change it out. Keep up the good work.

[@henrikmadsen3443]

Worked well for me. The bolts just behind the flywheel had vibrated loose preventing the cord from pulling and the flywheel from turning. Now it works again. Thanks!

[@pete332]

I had the same problem but now, what’s the proper alignment when you put it back on

[@tallfarmboy]

@@pete332 there should be a slot or a key on the flywheel or crankshaft that align them in the proper positions.

[@cwytonweb]

Also worth noting that if you are removing the flywheel because of timing issues, chances are you'll hammer at it forever because the key is wedged in between the shaft and flywheel. In these situations I've found it takes an air hammer get a stuck flywheel loose.

[@briannewman4453]

Thank you much worked like a charm on my stihl handheld blower!

[@tallfarmboy]

Glad it helped!

[@bergstar12]

3,2,1 made me lol. glad ur ok;)

[@Scotcho64]

Thanks for posting. It worked for me quite well on my 034.

[@pete332]

When you reinstall it, how do you know how it lines up to get the proper timing. I took mine off and now have no clue

[@gcsmowfo]

Awesome!! Thanks, it did the job. 😁

[@jimcrowe1298]

Thanks for the video mate, saved me no end of time, temper and expense

[@jamesfield5346]

That's awesome. Thank you. I've been trying to figure it out.

[@cuankorsten]

Worked a treat. Thanks!

[@andrewmiller6006]

I used an air ratchet to buzz the nut off (worked great). The punch idea also was a life saver as three hits and the flywheel came right off. Thanks!

[@topaze221]

Thanks for the good video. Did taking the nut off help or did you just feel like doing it?

[@Timbolele]

Thanks for posting this. Saved my bacon when I got stuck replacing the chain oil line on my Stihl 017!

[@tallfarmboy]

Tim, glad that it helped! Thank you for dropping me a "thank you". It is appreciated.

[@Brian-te9be]

u are a life saver bro THANK U

[@doubledeuce5084]

I just tried it with a little tapping hammer and punch and the end of the crank splintered. I won't try this again.

[@nikolasmiller104]

The nut holding on my flywheel is stripped. This chainsaw I’m restoring is from the 80s. Any advise? Don’t really care if I break the flywheel I’ll replace it

[@YamarajaDasaAlcyone]

Thank you!

[@johnnorris1227]

If you have a small battery powered impact driver just use that to get the nut off. No need to jam anything down the spark plug hole and it will save your knuckles. Also I have a generic slide hammer/puller kit and the puller works awesome for getting the flywheels off.

[@deeremeyer1749]

Good video and a good way to remove any tapered hub from a tapered shaft. There's just a very slight interference fit and wedge situation and all it takes is a sharp impact to jar it loose. A little carefully applied heat helps a hell of a lot too. Generally any metal part can be heated to about 300 degrees F with no adverse effects whatsoever. A good "old-school" way to determine that temp is to spit on the part. When its hot enough to make spit instantly "sizzle" that's about right and beyond that point it won't expand any more and you start getting heat into the shaft and causing it to expand. Heat slowly, spit and act quickly when it sizzles.

[@philipjean1086]

Good idea would help even more if you leave the saw outside at -40 before you apply heat

[@bazooka4526]

good job, thanks

[@joe964]

this won't damage any seals or bearings will it?.. looking to remove a flywheel on a 036 so I can change the timeing. Thanks Joe

[@tallfarmboy]

Joe D shouldn't hurt your seals at all. Good luck with your repair.

[@joe964]

Okay thanks for the kind words

[@andrewgoss4328]

I'm tearing apart a stihl 031 av right now. I didn't know any of this and I just jammed my thumb in the wheel to stop it from spinning. Wish I would've know this.

[@briankennedy1313]

Were they able to sew it back on ok?

[@jeffloveless9555]

Ok I got the flywheel off and am trying to put a new one on. My problem is I can't get the rope I put into the sparkplug port out. Any suggestions on how to get the rope out?

[@tallfarmboy]

Jeff, I'm sorry that I just saw this. There is a chance that you will need to move your crankshaft in the opposite direction because it it pinched in a port. Removing the starter cover will give you access to the flywheel, then you can rotate the crankshaft backwards, this should lower the piston and you can remove the rope. It might be pretty tight. Good luck!

[@joew9392]

On many chainsaws you can just loosen the nut and hit the non-magnet edge of the flywheel with a hammer, usually pops off in one or two hits. This doesn't work on recessed flywheels though..

[@davidporter5111]

Dont

[@pl747]

How many foot pounds do you torque the flywheel nut to when you put the flywheel back on?

[@tallfarmboy]

I don't really ever torque them down. I just get them pretty tight... LOL I know that's not much help, but just get them about as tight as I can with a 3/8" ratchet in my hand.

[@alistersibley2155]

Great vid, good tip and really take my hat off to for not giving it a bucket load of f£&ks when you smashed to knuckles.

[@mikedalakis5292]

Thanks much for posting this great video. I'm working on a Stihl chainsaw right now and need to remove the flywheel. Hope your method works for me,

[@tallfarmboy]

Best of luck! I hope it works for you.

[@dennisthemenace57]

Leave the plug in and use an impact to get the nut off. If you must use a punch instead of the correct tool (a cheap puller) put a slight bit of tension behind the wheel with a screwdriver, plug spanner etc then pop the end of the shaft

[@dacdidac]

Thanks mate it worked like a charm, you saved me a real headache. Appreciate the tips 👍👍👍

[@davemills3734]

Beat on mine for about half an hour wanted to see what the key looked like. Never did get it off said oh well and put it back together 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jamesrath25]

GOD DAMMIT IT WORKED THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!

[@janetlengenfelder4760]

Apply some penetrating oil on the shaft before you start. Let it soak in and it will come off much easier. Great video by the way.

[@davidporter5111]

I do this all day...never needed oil

[@canamrider7195]

Nice!

[@liamcameron5268]

would it be harmful to the flywheel to use a normal gear puller, thanks, liam

[@tallfarmboy]

No, won't be harmful at all... The issue is that you don't have enough room to get a normal flywheel puller onto the flywheel because of the crankcase. Good luck!

[@liamcameron5268]

thank you for replying! unfortunately you were right about not being able to get it around because of the case. the saw sat for like ten years in some guys garage and all the sawdust turned to dirt so its impossible to see much but do you think the method you showed would work on a stihl 075?

[@gilbertogandarilla8507]

Thank you mr

[@nathanratchford9996]

1) Totally saw the knuckle buster coming without the warning. My knuckles hurt as well. 2) I'd like a pressure testing video, por favor.

[@tallfarmboy]

Nathan Ratchford Pressure testing... That can definitely be arranged.

[@briankennedy1313]

How do you know the rope is not in the wrong place of you can’t see where it’s going?

[@Coveredinblood]

I watch videos all the time and don't ever take the time to comment, but I must say that I was stumped as to how to remove this flywheel since I couldn't get any of my pullers on there. I have pulled this flywheel before, so it may have been a bit easier… Tapped it with a hammer twice, not too hard and it popped right off!

[@tallfarmboy]

+Andrew Wilson So glad that the video helped you. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment.

[@MrRubenoz]

I really would reconsider to do this: Hitting a crankshaft to hard could disbalance the chankchaft! Just buy the correct tools and work like it should be.

[@davidporter5111]

First, use a bite of starter rope(fold in half) and you're less likely to find your way into a transfer port or exhaust port and shearing your field piston stop. Next, back the nut off 1/8 turn to create a gap, lift the saw off your work area by the flywheel, leaving the socket on the nut. Now, hit the socket hard one good time, careful not to hit your hand. There's your dinner! No damage, flywheel removed.

[@patrickwhalen4781]

What exactly do you mean, "lift the saw off your work area by the flywheel..." So are you holding the saw in the air when you hit the socket?

[@zachboehning4738]

Thank you brother. Worked perfectly. Held the fly wheel with my left and and smacked my deep well socket with my 3lb hammer and she popped off

[@jamesgingin590]

Wouldn't this put side load on the crank bearings and damage them?

[@fordinlinestraight]

Yes dont do it

[@TheReal1953]

Go with a puller....never a good idea to transfer shock like that to crankshaft bearing.

[@toyotagtcoupe8487]

Stihl sell a flywheel tool that you shock off the flywheel similar to this video. Good enough for stihl good enough for me

[@JDye-youtube]

Turn the saw upright and strike the shaft from the side it will come off much easier. The saw receives the force through the shaft and moves, while the flywheel does not receive any force and therefore tries to remain stationary due to Newton’s first law. That rope trick was money!!!!

[@doglegjake6788]

it actually took out a 4 inch piece of concrete slab down to the rebar

[@tonygray3135]

just strike the chain side of the crank with a copper hammer

[@davidporter5111]

Nope

[@patrickg6227]

Worked perfectly, thanks.

[@tokiwartooth09]

LIKE A GLOVE!

[@gilclose5137]

TOO EASY, I SUPPOSE EVERYTHING IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW,THANKS

[@dylanjoyce3035]

gil close NO NEED TO SHOUT

[@fuzzzeballs]

i used a pullet still wont come off

[@tallfarmboy]

Don't get in a hurry. Might try soaking it in Kroil. Might also lift the saw up and perhaps try to suspend it with some wire and then hit it.

[@fuzzzeballs]

it will end with a club hammer and the problem will cease to exist

[@starboiii962]

I want to convert a chainsaw to an rc aircraft engine, how to do it

[@tallfarmboy]

It can be done... I'm sure that there are kits available to help you in the conversion. Much more power than you would need, but it would be awesome!

[@starboiii962]

@@tallfarmboy where to get the kit ?

[@8307c4]

a) They make special "piston stop" tools that you thread into the spark plug hole, b) A pneumatic gun will take that nut off without a piston stop. You DO need to be very careful if using air to put it back on thou

[@dmod686]

You sir are a fuckin legend

[@skatingcuziwant2]

Correct way to get the flywheel unstuck: loosen the nut enough to leave a gap, put a socket on the nut and put a Hole Punch THROUGH the socket, hold the saw in the air by the flywheel, whack the hole punch. The socket acts like a guide, I only have 2 hands

[@Antimortem]

Crude but works👍🌈

[@cwytonweb]

There are enough battery powered impact drivers out in the world to make sticking anything that can frey or get stuck in the cylinder not worth the risk. If you dont have an impact drill, I bet your neighbor does.

[@fiditenemini2452]

no. impact driver will probably damage the piston

[@user-zy7jq1iq7c]

Hit it once with barley any serious force and broke the threads off had it on in the middle and didn’t hit it at a angle listen to the guy that said just buy the puller for $6

[@Safteassemblies]

Now youve driven the crankshaft dang near out the other side. , get a tool really. ???

[@davidmech2956]

Worst advice ever. Been removing flywheels the old way, prybar and hammer for 40 years. I decided to try this method, and, low and behold, my crankshaft cracked and blew four threads off. Thanks for nothing!

[@Bradygoodz]

Thank you!

[@thijs7452]

Thank you!