nate_o

hey folks, looking for some advice on how to get my crankshaft pulley bolt off.

Here's what I've tried: breaker bar with 4 foot pipe, impact wrench, and I tried both after hitting it with an acetylene torch for 30 and 60 seconds. I took it to a mechanic today to see if he could get it loose, and his big gun couldn't do it.

He said the last one he had like that, he had to cut the crankshaft pulley off to get the bolt free.

So, any ideas? or am I going to have to cut it off, and if so, how do I go about doing that?

EDIT: Car is a 1999 Civic HX.

accorse07

? what type of mechanic would cut off a crank pulley to get a bolt free. If its completely seized and you can't budge it with a 1/2 inch impact wrench (make sure there main psi setting is not set low), than drill the bolt out changing sizes as needed until it crumbles and ceases to exist.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

search this forum.. you arent the only one who has had this issue.
there are a few thing you havent tried yet. dont give up.
your mechanic friend might be right though.

nate_o

I found this thread, but I started a new one so as not to hijack it: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-removing-your-crank-pulley-898904/

Is there another thread I should check out?

I think the only thing I haven't tried is the torch + propane method, and I don't have a propane bottle handy for that one.

98civdx

Be careful to not get the pulley too hot, you could ruin it.


For the bolt, this is very common. You need a impact with *****, or a big *** cheater pipe. Like 6+ foot.

nate_o

How big of an impact wrench do I need? The shop I went to had this one: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=683065

strategy400

Note that it is helpful to apply square torque to the bolt by supporting the pivot end of the breaker. This will put all the twisting force right where its needed in the most efficient way. Trying to do it without will cause broken tools, heartache, domestic violence and heroin addiction. Soak it with a squirt of WD-40. Then soak it again. Use a 3 foot pipe on the breaker. 6 pt. socket! It will come loose with a satisfying "ping!".

See this post:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=107.

98civdx

You'll need ~1000lb's+ of breakaway torque. Most of the time.





Also, if your in the garage, close the door. These bolts are well known for making guy's swear... A LOT.

Edit- Crap, I forgot. Do you have the crank pulley tool? If not head the parts store and rent one, or buy. ($50)

nate_o

@strategy400 - I used a jackstand to hold the extension/breaker bar level with the bolt. Also, I've been spraying the bolt with PBlaster every day for the last two weeks.

@98civdx Its an aftermarket crank pulley, and it doesn't accept the 55mm (50mm?) crank pulley tool. I put it in gear and stomped on the brakes to keep the wheel from turning, which worked well enough for me to break my extension.

And yes, this thing is seriously making me hate my life.

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

id put some PB blaster on it and let it sit overnight, then bring back to mechanic with "big *** gun"

98civdx

I hate aftermarket crank pulleys.

Just keep trying.


On mine I gave up (after screaming **** you, you peice of **** 150 times) and took it in.
took him like 2 seconds.

West Werks

Try this ^^^^ or I have had excellent results with Kroil Oil:

rvs51

Take a 1/2 drive, deep well impact socket and make sure it sets on the flange of the bolt. If a 19mm fits the bolt head, use it. Then strike the end of the socket with a very large hammer. Be sure to hit it as "square" as possible. You may have to lower the motor to get a good hit on it. No heat required. Ussually within a couple strikes it will loosen and can be removed with an impact or if your lucky, your fingers. Don't ***** foot it when your hitting it either!

nate_o

Guys, I tried PBlaster already, a bunch of times:
I also tried a few days worth of applying Kroil.

I might try wailing on it with a hammer, if nothing else it may make me feel better.

jazzRS

maybe start workin out? iv never had a pulley bolt that wouldnt come undone and iv spent years working for acura. put the man hand on it

EFjoe91

Hey buddy, Dont get worried. Mine was stuck as well. I used a 11ft pipe. I could of gotten it off with my pinkey finger. Longer bar = more Leverage.

Swap'DShuttle

Once you get it off put that aftermarket crank pulley in the trash where it can't make its way onto another engine again. They are bad news, and I'm not talking about anything to do with not being able to get the bolt off.

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

+1
Always use a new crank bolt when reinstalling

nate_o

@jazzRS - My service manager at the bike shop I used to work at always told me to use my man hands. Sometimes he was right, but it was pretty common for him to shear off bolts and have to drill them out and re-tap them. So, that's not always the best advice.

@swapdshuttle - what about them is bad? I'm not really familiar with aftermarket parts for Hondas.

@Esotericimage - Yeah, I already bought a new bolt with the rest of the parts.

Natural Aspirations

Take it to a garage that works on big trucks, they have 1" impact guns that will remove it in a hurry.

BLacK FirE

iTrader: (2)

I'm surprised no one has asked this already...

Are you using any of the different honda crank pulley removal tools? Moroso and Snap On both make one. I have the moroso and can easily get the bolt loose by hand with the pipe from my jack.

fabioso

I had the same problem, my 500ft LB impact didn't budge it. Tried heating but that didn't work, then I remembered I forgot to add a few drops of oil to the gun and that worked like a charm.

2kdb8

Use your starter to break it. Srs. Dangerous but works for me every time.

Get your socket and pry bar on the crank and wedge it up against something like the axle/steering knuckle area and use bungie cords or something to make sure it's secure and not fall off. Then just turn the engine over for a sec and the starters torque will break it.

Done this on about 3-4 stubborn crank bolts as the last resort. Good luck!

Swap'DShuttle

A lot if not most of aftermarket crank pulleys don't dampen vibration like the factory Honda one.

Using aftermarket ones on a Honda is not a good idea. It will stress your crank and simply throws the motor out out balance. Lightweight flywheels on the other hand are fine, as their job isn't to absorb vibration the the degree as a pulley, but you will notice a little more vibration with an extremely light flywheel compared to stock.

nate_o

Thank you all for the advice. I'll probably take another run at it this afternoon and take it to another shop next week if I can't get it loose.

@2kdb8 - It's a Honda D-series engine. The crank turns counter-clockwise, and the bolt loosens counter-clockwise. If I tried the "starter trick" it would shear the bolt off, and I'd be lucky if that's the only thing it'd break.