[tony dubois]

I removed the pumps from both my pressure washers at the weekend so that I could grease the shafts. It's the first time I've done this and I noticed that on the Honda the key is protruding from the end of the shaft by about 5mm (see attached image) whilst on the Briggs the end of the key is level with the shaft end. Which is the correct position? I've looked on the web but can't find any guidance on this.
Also, should I remove the keys and grease the keyways? Both of the keys are quite firm in the keyways and won't move with finger pressure so they will need some encouragement to get them out.
Incidentally, the Honda is two years old and the pump slid off quite easily but the Briggs which is only 8 months old was a real bugger to get off.
Thanks in anticipation.

[Mike Halliday]

Greasing shafts?? Do people do this? Why?

I have never took a pump off To apply grease to the shaft and never read it In any manual

[BDCS]

The key should be an interference fit in the keyway on the shaft. Wear occurs when there is slack between the keyways and key. Removing the pump each year is good because if there is wear then the key can be replaced before failure. protruding key is not an issue if the pump goes on. Coppaslip is better than grease. The keys are usually imperial on these pumps and key steel is very cheap so good as a spare.

 

[Smudger]

It's good practice. But I, like most are too damn lazy to it 
So far been happy to just change the oils - the bolts holding the pump to gearbox sheared last year resulting in the gear coming off and modifying the casing    but the key and shaft were all good, banged it back together and been 100% since.

Darran

[chris scott]

Greasing shafts?? Do people do this? Why?

I have never took a pump off To apply grease to the shaft and never read it In any manual

The pumps seize on the shaft …if you have a problem with either engine or pump, they are both scrap. 
It's that or you don't notice play in the shaft/key/keyway…..this useually results in a scrap engine. Unless you are handy with a tig and a wet cloth.

[Ben Marriott]

Engine into pump should be a tight fit, all keys have slight variations and heat / corrosion and the make up of the metal content in the sleeves can effect the way the shafts wear. The Keys usually push forward over the end of the shaft to give you a lip to locate the pump for putting it back. Once it slides on the key will slide back over the end and locate itself.

In my opinion a basic service should include the changing of the drive key, something which is drummed into any half descent apprentice.  The drive key is the only thing joining the pump and engine / gearbox. Once they start to wear moisture gets in and causes corrosion, heat transfer can also 'weld' the two together leaving you with a solid shaft. At this point if either engine or pump / gearbox goes the whole unit is redundant.