How to Remove a John Deere 318 Flywheel

The flywheel of the John Deere 318 is a circular part on the engine assembly that restricts access to several parts instrumental to the regular operation of the mower. It is installed in close proximity to the engine's magneto, which is the governor that restricts the machine's top speed, and the PTO, or power takeoff, clutch shaft, which is responsible for delivering power to the mower's blades. If you need to replace the flywheel or gain access to any of these other parts for engine repair, you have to remove the flywheel. Fortunately, you can tackle this job yourself even if you have no experience removing a flywheel.

Socket wrench
Flywheel pulley

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the John Deere 318 mower and allow the engine a few minutes to cool off.
- 2
  Open the hood over the John Deere 318's engine.
- 3
  Find the circular flywheel part at the top of the John Deere 318 mower's engine assembly. There is an iron cover encompassing the flywheel that is held down by several bolts. Remove all of these bolts with a socket wrench. Set the flywheel cover aside.
- 4
  Take out the single bolt at the center of the exposed flywheel, using your socket wrench.
- 5
  Place a flywheel pulley over the mower's flywheel so that the two pulley arms extend over the outside of the flywheel. Use your socket wrench to tighten the bolt on the pulley until the pressure created causes the John Deere 318 mower's flywheel to come loose. Place the flywheel and pulley to the side.

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