Need Help with freeing a Ceramic Shaft from bushing

Biglurr54 · Dec 28, 2017

I have 2 Fluval SP6 pumps that I got with a tank i bought. They were both frozen and stuck with calcium build up. I took them all apart and soaked everything in acid. In the acid bath the impellers found each other. The strength of the magnets broke one of the shafts on one of the impellers. The second impeller has a bushing stuck on it. I have two pump but no impellers now. I soaked the bushing in an acid bath until it stopped bubbling then I soaked it overnight in straight vinegar. I then soaked the bushing in wd40 hoping that would penetrate and allow the bushing to be freed. I used pliers to get more torque and the bushing is still stuck on the shaft. my next trick would be to use heat. I am worried the heat might crack the ceramic. Any tips or ideas on how to free a ceramic bushing off a ceramic shaft. New impellers are $100 so I'm nervous getting too crazy with it.

Biglurr54 · Dec 28, 2017

Here's a pic of the one that broke before it broke. I am trying to free the bushing that's off this one.

Smo · Dec 28, 2017

If your desire end state is two reliable pumps with some longevity...you are probably better off buying two new impeller kits with new bushings. Likely not what you wanted to hear.

Biglurr54 · Dec 28, 2017

I'd like to free the ceramic shaft and clean it up so I can use the impeller as a spare

Biglurr54 · Dec 28, 2017

I would like one reliable pump (new impeller kit) and one spare pump with the old impeller is working condition.

Smo · Dec 28, 2017

Understood, but the impeller shaft is likely worn and not ideally useable.

Biglurr54 · Dec 28, 2017

Any tips on freeing it up to see? They guy who I got the pumps from must have just loaded the tank with calcium because it had massive amounts of build up on all the pumps I got. Thick build up. And he told me he didn't have and sps coral. Just a few lps and softies. I don't think the pumps have much use. The tank wa s in use for 3 years and I got 6 return pumps. So it must have only been used for for about 6 months!