Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > What the hell is a Woodruff key?

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Originally posted by Loz
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.


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

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.

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