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1989 Buick Lesabre Woodruff key (keyway)

Tiny
RONMARLEE1
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
We have removed the Harmonic Balancer becuase the one we put on two months ago broke. We had to replace the Front Cover Oil seal. Now we discover the Woodruff key or keyway on the camshaft if worn down so much that we can't get it out. How would you suggest getting it out so we can put a new one in?


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/169112_Picture_003_1.jpg



http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/169112_Copy_of_Picture_001_1.jpg


Allso, can you see from the pictures if the Timing Chain is good? It is tight and secure with almost no slack.
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Saturday, March 15th, 2008 AT 5:44 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
If the timing gear has metal teeth on the top gear then it has already been replaced, they came from the factory plastic teeth and they all broke at 100,000 miles. The way I would get out the keyway is by using a diegrinder or a dremel cut off tool and put a slice down the middle of it to weaken it the use a hammer and screwdriver or chizel. If you mark it up a little dont worry just use some emery cloth and clean it up when your done. The seal is going to ride on the harmonic balancer. Just use a dab of silicone on the key wey when installing the new balancer to prevent oil leak. Hope this helps
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Saturday, March 15th, 2008 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
RONMARLEE1
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  • 5 POSTS
In reference to the timing chain teeth, does your answer mean that the chain and teeth are ok? I have attached another picture of the timing chain. Can you tell from the picture if it looks ok?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/169112_Picture_002_3.jpg

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Sunday, March 16th, 2008 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Its hard to tell. Are the teeth on the top gear metal? It should be easy to tell. If they are plastic you will probably see nicks in the teeth. If the top gear has plastic teeth on them then you should change them
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Sunday, March 16th, 2008 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
RONMARLEE1
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The teeth on the top gear are metal. They look ok.
We have tried everything to get the Woodruff key out and nothing works. We have drilled, sanded and tried a screw driver and tapped it with a hammer. It seems that the key is melted in the keyway slot. It wasn't flat like that a couple of months ago when we first put the balancer on. Then the new balancer broke. So we got another one. We don't know what else to do. We don't have the money to take it to a mechanic. I appreciate you help very much.
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Sunday, March 16th, 2008 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
The timing chain is fine. Did you have to use a puller to remove the balancer or did it just slide off?
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Sunday, March 16th, 2008 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
RONMARLEE1
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The first time we replaced the old balancer two months ago we had to use a puller, but this last time it just came off, because it was broken in three pieces. The car had died at a stop and wouldn't start again and we had to have it towed before we started this work on it. It sounded like it had run out of gas or the ignition coil or control moduler was bad, but they are new. Thanks. Margie and Ronnie Lee
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Monday, March 17th, 2008 AT 4:13 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Unfortunately I think you are going to have to take it to a shop at this point before its damaged beyond repair. Good luck
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Monday, March 17th, 2008 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
RONMARLEE1
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Thank you for your help.
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Monday, March 17th, 2008 AT 4:53 PM

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