[Gabe]

Activity: Removing pinion from two 3" Minibike motor shaft using heat from a propane torch, then striking with a punch and hammer.

Problem: Both motors were very squeaky afterwards and the shafts had more play pulling in and out.

Analysis: The height of the shafts were different from motor to motor. The motor smelled of plastic. Opening up the motors, the armature was hot.

Conclusion: Too much heat softened the adhesive fastening the motor shaft to the armature. The shock from the hammering then moved the shaft backward, where the adhesive rehardened.

Solution: Oddly enough, the solution came right after this incident. Out of frustration the pinion was hammered on an anvil, causing it to fracture and break away from the shaft cleanly. Test on the other pinion was also successful.