Scooby

I was attempting to change my timing belt this past weekend ...

I bought an impact wrench that was rated at 350 ft-lbs at 90 psi. The kicker is that this wouldn't loosen the bolt! I remember that someone mentioned something about the direction of rotation to loosen the crank bolt...so what direction do i rotate in order to loosen the crank bolt? is it the typical counterclockwise rotation?

Another thing...have you guys ever removed the crank bolt with JUST an impact wrench? i was thinking of returning my impact wrench for one that was rated at 600 ft-lbs Or should i just get someone to change the belt

Thanks!

kenji

The crank bolt has a normal thread pattern. It is just on there really really really tight.

A good 1/2" impact gun with a good compressor behind it will remove the bolt with a little effort.

A decent 3/4" impact gun will remove it with no problem at all.

A have 1/2" and 3/4" Ingersol Rand composite impact guns. The 1/2" rarely gets the job done (rated at 600 ft-lbs in reverse). But, the 3/4" gun gets it with little to no effort. I think the volume that my compressor delivers is not sufficent for the 1/2" gun to break the bolt loose.

A trick that may help you is to do the tighten and loosen trick. Here is how it works...put the gun on tighten and give the bolt a quick hit and then put it on loosen and try to get it off. Do this a few times. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...

Good luck.

-kenji

Scooby

kenji,

thanks man. I was thinking of the 600 ft-lb ingersall rand gun...but that dang thing is pricey!

If i use the impact gun, i don't need to lock the flywheel, right?

The other question I had was...what psi should i have the air compressor set at? The compressor i've got goes up to 200psi...when i was using the old gun...i had it set at 90-100psi

when u say 1/2" gun w/ a good compressor will remove the bolt w/ a little effort...what is "a little effort?" how long r u leaving the gun on the bolt?

sorry for so many questions...so many of my Do it yourself jobs get halted cuz of these frozen bolts!

Thanks!

RedTeg95

I've witnessed this process twice, once on my B18C1 with a new ingersall rand gun set at 140lbs and the bolt just flew off and a second time on my buddys B18C1 with an older gun set at 140lbs and it took 30 to 60 seconds. In both cases the flywheel was not locked.