HondaFan_in_FL

Hey fellow Honda peeps...Listen, I have a problem with my 1992 Accord. My wife mentioned something about the smell of burnt rubber after she parked so I said don't start and I'll come by and access the situation. It looks like my Harmonic Balancer is toast and my belt came off in the process. (I'll take some pics tomorrow).

I've been researching the repair and it appears it's a B*tch in getting the main bolt off. I called a mechanic down the street and he's giving me a labor charge of $300 (not including parts) and I can't really do that with the holidays coming up and all. Does anybody have any pointers or recommendations in getting this off? Would renting a Crankshaft Pulley remover from Autozone help?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

v4lu3s

you will not be able to get the tool you need at autozone as far as the crankshaft pulley holder tool.
i have always just used an impact gun without an issue.

v4lu3s

oh yeah and $300 is a HUGE ripoff. he takes one bolt off replaces on part and the belts...thats all...

B20dcteg

Remove the starter and wedge a prybar in the flywheel to keep the motor from turning over then you can take a long breaker bar and a good 6 point socket and break the bolt loose
Once you get the bolt out all it takes is a little effort and the crank pulley will come off

Or you can borrow a compressor and a good impact and it will come loose

HondaFan_in_FL

Thanks peeps...I have a compressor, but not a impact gun. What size socket am I looking at? I'll tackle it this on Saturday.

I thought $300 was a little excessive...Tiz the Season - right?

MAD_MIKE

A bit of leverage is all that is needed really...
Two breaker bars, possibly a jack handle for extra oompf, an 18" 1/2" drive extension, jackstand, a socket and the crank tool will get the bolt off with a bit of grunting.

*Use the jackstand to support the extension near the breaker bars head to allow you to apply the full force of your weight if need be.*

EDIT: Come to think of it, the two breaker bars, Honda crank tool, and the extension will cost you ~$120 just to get those. A used Harmonic damper from pick N pull is ~$30, or if you can talk the counter man/woman into seeing it as a 'pulley' rather than harmonic balancer"what's that? I need a pulley damnit!" So for about $150 you should be back on the road

TouringAccord

I wouldn't be recommending this to anyone without at least giving a warning as to what can happen. Using this method has caused chunks of the transmission housing to break off. I've posted pictures before, not going to search for them now.

92 civic ex 4dr

The way i have taken off my balancer and put it back on was removed the access plate on the bottom of the transaxle where the shift cable goes into (it's automatic) and clamped a pair of vice on to the starter ring around the torque converter. No teeth ever broken and the ring is still straight. It's been a while but if my memory serves me correctly it's a 19 metric bolt head. And when it comes time to reinstall it torques down to 181 ft lbs. Don't do that wrong. Under torqueing it cost me a head when the bolt came lose while driving, caused the key to slide out of the keyway and spin the timing gear on the crank loosing 4 exhaust valves. It was like the holocaust all over again trying to get it home and what not.

TouringAccord

edit: nvm

92 civic ex 4dr

Vice Grips. the Grips part is kinda important. im pretty sure a vice wont fit haha

v4lu3s

For 120 you can get a pretty decent hobbiest impact gun, it will have enough power for thirty just won't be as durable as a more expensive one.


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92 civic ex 4dr

yes an impcat gun would be the ideal way to go. BUT my personal experience with them and torqued down harmonic balancer bolts on honda's has been bad. First not everyone knows that the bolt is NOT a reverse thread, second it requires 181 ft lbs of torque (not kidding don't go any less because it will cost you a balancer and head like it did me). over time from the engine heating up and cooling down the bolt gets kinda "welded" into place. The rapid succession of an impact gun hammering on it tends to break the head of the bolt off. Not always going to happen, but it is possible. If you can get a breaker bar with no extension (size 19 6 point impact socket 1/2 drive) and use you foot to push and grab the "K" member to hold on to it should come loose and right out.

HondaFan_in_FL

Hey...I had some time this week and had some luck...

Here is what I did to get the bolt off:

1. Tried impact wrench. My compressor had 90 PSI with a 1/2" Craftsman delivering up to 711 FT Lbs. I had no such luck.

2. Took a plumbers propane torch and heated the washer under the bolt for about 2 mins. Once again I tried the impact and still no luck.

3. Finally, used a 20" 1/2" extension Bar, 1/2" 18" Breaker bar, jack stand, and a hex head removal tool (PN: 3970, paid $46.99 at Napa) another 18" 1/2" breaker bar.

This time, I placed the removal tool inside the balancer, wedged one of the breaker bars under then car (placed an old rag between the concrete and the bar so it won't scratch it to hell), heated up the washer again. I put the socket (19 mm maybe) on the extension and other breaker bar, rested it on the jack stand and it came off with some serious bouncing.

Napa had the Harmonic Balancer, (PN: 600-5249, paid $92.49)

I hope this helps...

http://s1306.beta.photobucket.com/us...ord%20Repairs?

TouringAccord

glad you were able to get it off and that you got the proper tool for holding the crankshaft pulley in place

v4lu3s

good that you got it done, the pulley holder tool is invaluable at times, but no way that impact gun was giving 711 lb/ft. My Ingersoll Rand 231c claims 600 lb/ft and I have only had one bolt not come out with it.
figure that your 18" breaker bar with you on it...if you weigh 200 lbs and put all 200 lbs on the end of the bar you are only applying 300 lb/ft of torque to the bolt. The bolt that i could NOT get out I used a 24 inch breaker and a 6 ft pipe on and put around 250 lbs of person on it making for about 1500 lb/ft.

holmesnmanny

Ya i had to use a cheater pipe too.