IVE REMOVED THE NYLON PART ON MY 3.5 HP BRIGGS BUT CANNOT REMOVE THE HOUSING THAT CONTAINS THE BALL BEARINGS FROM THE DRIVESHAFT.IS IT THREADED ONTO THE SHAFT OR DO I USE A PULLER? PLEASE HELP.

ALAN GROVES, August 2008

In the unlikely event of the starter clutch breaking (never happened to me in 20+ years), a new clutch is cheaper than either a new flywheel, a repair shop, or the 'correct' tools (clutch wrench and special B&S flywheel holder). There WILL be some marking to the lugs (2 of which are redundant anyway), but so what?.

It's not that fragile. Just be sure to put in the screen retaning screws or it WILL fall apart!

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, September 2008

I would not knock it around with a hammer. It is aluminum, and softer than steel. I hold the flywheel with a crowbar slipped in between two fins on the flywheel. Then use a pipe wrench to loosen the nut. But I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS. You may break a fin; then you are screwed. What is wrong with it anyway? Are you replacing the old recoil system with a newer version that doesn't have ball bearings? If you must remove it, find the right holding tool, or take it to a repair shop. That will cost less than another flywheel. Good luck

Robert Brown, August 2008

It unscrews in the conventional manner (IE it's a right hand thread).

There IS a special socket that fits over the whole assy, but you can make do ;-

1) Re-install the 2 screws that hold the wire screen in place. This will prevent the assembly from falling apart.

2) Using a drift on the screw lugs, 'knock' it round with a hammer.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, August 2008