How to remove stubborn crankshafts?
 

Hi guys - I went to service my RB Hobby 9 last night and had a hell of a time removing the crankshaft from the engine. It seemed like it was stuck on the bearings. I even had a hard time removing it with a rubber mallet.

What is the best way to remove these stubborn crankshafts? I don't want to pound on it too hard and risk damaging something.

Never seen one so stuck before.

I've had good success by using something harder than a rubber mallet. I thread a long hex screw into the tip of the crank to protect it and the threads of the crank, then I'll tap the tip of the crank on a piece of wood or even metal. I don't give it a hard swing because you can't be too hard on the crank. The more blunt impact tends to break the "stiction" or corrosion that's preventing easy removal.

Try heating up the engine block before removing it.

Knock it out with a piece of wood. Just make sure to catch it it will not land on concrete.