Lane Ranger 10,992 #1 Posted February 5, 2017 I changed some tires the other day on my oldest Wheel Horse RJ. When removing the tires I noticed that the hubs were a little loose and wobbled a bit after the wheel was removed with the older tire. I tightened up the set screw bolt on the hub but noticed it was still moving a bit on the axle. More than I thought was normal. So I decided to remove the hub and check the key and keyway. I thought the keyway might have been chewed out. However, after removing and cleaning off the grease from the axle and Woodruff key I found that the key itself had been damaged. Looks like it had been squeezed together right under the top of the 1/4 by 1 inch keyway. Well I think they were the original - ( 58 years old) keys so time to change. $1.20 each for two Woodruff keys and back together again. No wobble and hub is tight on the RJ axle again! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,549 #2 Posted February 5, 2017 58 years ago, thay was probably a 3 cent part! It has served you well. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ztnoo 2,298 #3 Posted February 5, 2017 Wow Lane, that key's end profile looks more like a railroad rail than a woodruff key!!! I've never seen any key like that........ I guess 50 years of service life is pretty outstanding, wouldn't you say??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,825 #4 Posted February 5, 2017 All ways change the Woodruff keys when you remove the hub. Even the slights indention on the key will let the hub move and wear off the cup point of the set screws. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,992 #5 Posted February 5, 2017 (edited) The original keys got the mileage for the money $$$- that's for sure! Edited February 5, 2017 by Lane Ranger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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