dleccord

i was wondering if you need any special tools for replacing the 2 tensioners and the tensioner springs?

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Negative, the two tensioners are attached by a single 14mm nut. You might need a special tool to remove the crank pulley depending on how tight the last person put it on.

dleccord

besides the special tool, torch, or impact gun, is there any other way to break the crank bolt?

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Torch? Someone suggested a torch? Wow.

Sometimes the bolts are tight, sometimes they aren't. These cars are so old that the belts have already been changed anywhere from 1-3 times in the past and you never know how tight the last guy put it on, so I've had a couple that came off with a 3/8 impact before.

The Jar

Never done it this way but a friend suggested to simply use your starter. He claims it is how some of the car shops do it.

dleccord

you're kidding right? i heard it doesn't work on most honda motors. i hear that would only tighten the bolt. but that's what i read.

GhostAccord

I would not suggest using your starter. If you know any mechanic that uses this method do not take your car back to him....EVER!

I had mine stuck on there and it wouldn't even budge with a 1/2 drive impact rated at 400 lbf-ft. It has something to do with constant pressure vs the hammer action of an impact. If your pulley bolt is on there good and tight it will require a constant pressure to crack/break the bolt free vs hammering on it.

I used a small breaker bar with the hex pulley socket on it. Rotated it so that it was braced on a block of wood on the garage floor. Then I proceeded to use a 6' breaker bar (2" sched 40 pipe) on the end of my 1/2" drive ratchet on the pulley bolt itself. I pushed down on it with most of my weight and snap it broke free just like a regular bolt. I did use a bit of heat but that's only because I am replacing my crank pulley (Hopefully )

dleccord

say if i weighed 300lbs and i step on the breaker bar vs a 500lb impact, would 300lb be better since it is constant?

The Jar

No I am not, but I never tried it. As for tightening the bolt it depends which direction the engine spins.

GhostAccord

In this case Yes. But you have to remember that your pushing more than your weight. @ 300 lb & using a 6' breaker bar/extension you would be exerting approximately 1800 lbf-ft of constant tq.

dleccord

so i only need like a 2 footer breaker bar?

GhostAccord

Really it comes down to whatever fits. keeping in mind that the longer the bar, the easier it will be to break the bolts bond.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

In regards to the starter method, it's a method which has been used for a long time by a lot of people, but not on Hondas. Honda motors spin counter clockwise and the bolt is a right handed thread, so if you use the starter, the bolt will be driven in tighter.