Not without liability, which is why a shop won't do it. When I bent mine, I removed the spark plug, blade and any adaptor. Rotate the crank and with a piece of chalk, find the high spot. I hit the high spot hard, once, with a light sledge hammer and used chalk again. That's how I fixed mine and it works great. But, like I said, you're on your own as far as liability, if you try this. The shaft can crack and the blade can come off.

Just wondering when you hit the shaft with a hammer will that not damage the crank bearing and the oil seal at the base. Next question I don't understand how you found the high spot with the calk?

Rest your hand on something steady and keep moving the chalk closer until it hits the high spot while the crank is slowly turning. Spark plug out and gas tank empty.

If any one knows of where I can get the shaft straightened in the Toronto area Let me know. I do not want to wack the shaft with a hammer. thanks

I have used a crankshaft straightener with good results in a limited way. So far I have done less than a dozen. The first one I did not keep track of where I had applied bending force. I ended up chaseing the bend and broke off the crank. So my question for you more experienced people, what is the correct sequence of steps? How much do you move the shaft past straight to get it to relax back to right? How do you measure how crooked it is? My frame has an indicator. Thanks, Paul

With all due respect to Walt, although I have never personally encountered a crank failure or injury due to straightening, I think this is more than urban legend. Because of liability concerns, I won't do on my own account, or as repair for others.

That said, best way to measure where the crank is out would be to clamp a dial indicator to the deck and rotate crank slowly observing runout. You should have a high and low point 180deg apart and have 1/2 runout at 90deg.

I straightened 2 today and will probably do 2 tomorrow. Not the prefered method by any means but as far as a bent crank the engine is junk. I took off the blade and took off the blade adapter, remove the plug, and as mentioned above i took a pencil and holding it at the end of the shaft as still as i could have someone slowely pull the cord (dont tilt with carb down)and the high point of the shaft will come in contact with the pencil lead and make a small mark. Do this a couple of times. Then slide on an old blade adapter on the shaft and using a good size sledge give it a good wack, Check with pencil after each hit. You will never stand a nickle on it but I would take it home and use it without fear.