What the hell is a Woodruff key?
 

Whatever it is, it seems to have stripped the crankshaft gearing or something like that on my 999S at Brands on 4 July. Clearly, not just a case of the coil or spark plug failing.
:(

The Garage informs me that a full engine strip is required and that they've never seen a case of it before. Covered under the warranty, thankfully.
:sing:

If anyone has an explanation of what's happened in layman terms, I'll be delighted.
:puzzled:

it's a block of metal hich locates between a shaft and a gear
to lock the gear onto the shaft
to prevent it sliping.

Tough break Loz. Presume you stayed upright or was it just a case of "it don't sound right"?

Woodruff key - its the little chock which fits into a slot on a shaft in order to keep a cog in place on the shaft. IF there's enough force on a cog and enough resistance on the shaft, then I guess the woodruff can be sheared. But it's gotta be one helluva big force to do it.
I'd've said the woodruff shearing is the secondary problem. First one being what stopped the shaft/cog from turning?:(

Best of luck mate.

guest1

OK where do i start..... I know what i mean but it's bugger to discribe. The item you're talking about is about one third of a circle and is used to.... sod it look at this.



I hope you get things sorted for Cadwell.

Murray mint

Woodruff key:
a half-moon shaped piece of metal used to secure something to a shaft which has a notch cut in the shaft to accommodate the key.

Didn't Harry Potter rescue it out of the woods or something?

No?

Coat is on ...

did they come and pick it up loz?
new valves and rockers required to?
head.?
warranty-good job your not paying

Tuff brake LOZ hope they get it back together for you soon.

:)

possibly looks something like this

http://motorcycleproducts.co.uk/cata...8a4d8998c405f9

it is used to retain gearing-pulley's etc on shafts such as crank shafts,camshafts

there is a "keyway" located on the shaft and pulley or gear the woodruff key simply lines everything up and shouldnt allow anything to slip-but in the event of a key failure-its usually a big "ouch"

every one beat me to it

hope you get it sorted

[Edited on 6-7-2005 by monstermob 998]

Cheers guys.
James and Paul trailered me and the bike back home after Brands (I was bungied to the roof of the van). Thanks again, guys!

Garage is confident of having it ready for Cadders on 25th (assuming Ducati have sufficient bits available).

Alan, I will ask what may have caused the problem in the first place. Cheers for that thought.