Clunck-oilspill-engine-no-more

[ir_joep]

Overtighting me never

I think I'm to blame and not the Italian motorcycle industry....

Twisted shaft or warped key I still have to find out.

Cheers Joep

[higgy]

I think I'm to blame and not the Italian motorcycle industry....

I think there are a few here that could take up that argument

[ir_joep]

News from the rotor saga

Do not know what exactly happend:

senario 1: Rotor nut was too tight and did crack the rotor at some point and than it got stuck in the stator.
senario 2: The rotor nut was to loose so the rotor could rotate over the woodruff key which expanded the rotor and did crack it to the same effect.

Anyway, reputated tuner, like kaemna (www.kaemna.com) do not install a woodruff key so if the nut comes loose the rotor just rotates and will not create such a mess.

what is your opinion about not installing a woodruff key?

Cheers Joep

[giocast]

If you meticulously study the cracks you will get a clue as to how it failed. depending what revs you were doing when it failed - in gear/out of gear will determine a lot. It's possible it was flung out centrifugally due to crack(s)?. I wouldn't run without a woodruff key personally - let's hear what others will say.

[angelix]

The woodruff key is there only there to "allign" the rotor to the shaft; what holds the two together is ONLY the nut, the shape of the shaft and rotor (usially they are conical) and the Nm applied.

on certain engines the woodruff keys are made of aluminium or plastic so that if the engine comes to a SUDDEN stop at high revs the crack shaft does not snap where the flywheel is fitted in case the Nut retaining it is not tight properly.

[higgy]

I would agree that the key is of not much help

[ducinthebay]

The Ducati manual for my 450 referred the Woodruff key as a Junk Key, inferring that is is not to be taken so seriously. I just sheared one on my 450 and it cause no problems at all. Woodruff keys should be softer than the crank so they don't deform the crank when they go.

Cheers, Phil

[ir_joep]

Hi,

Phil: Good for you (and the 450)

Think next time I will do without the key. It will give me a peace of mind while I'm driving at 120 km/h or more.

On the other hand, there are thousands of Ducs driving with the key...

Thanks for all for your thoughts.

KR

Joep

[higgy]

A good medium grade of loctite will serve your mag and crank better than a key