California98Civ

Hi guys,

Is the timing belt tensioner bolt on a 1998 Civic DX D16y7 reverse threaded? (AKA left-handed threaded?). It is getting chewed up as I work it left to loosen it.

TomCat39

So far I have not heard of any bolt on these older Honda's being reverse threads. The only bolt that normally would be is the Crank Pulley bolt but Honda runs in the opposite direction of other motors so that the crank pulley bolt doesn't require a reverse thread to stay tight.

Former User

You need a 14mm socket. Is that what you're using?

California98Civ

14mm socket. 6 sided. Unreal tight spot to work in on such a tight bolt. I got an Irvin bolt extractor for a 3/8" ratchet on same day order at Lowes. But it looks like I might end up lifting the engine out to drill this thing out, eh?

shotoutacc0rd

I hate it when bolt heads strip before they give way. Did you remember to order a new one from an online Honda dealer?

California98Civ

Not yet. But that's a good point. Will do that now. And I just learned that Lowe's cancelled my order for the extractor. It was supposed to be same day store pickup. They can't even explain why they cancelled it. And they say it's not their responsibility to tell me. Best part, the email confirmatof the order tells me to wait for another email when it arrives! But they were never going to email me again, ever. Hahaha! I only found out because I called. So disappointing.

shotoutacc0rd

Those chain department stores suck worse than my girlie. Good luck getting that POS out, remember to use a block of wood under the oil pan and undo all the mounts so they dont rip when you lift it up.

maybe you can try lowering it first, I think that bolt is closer to the bottom of the frame rail than the top.

California98Civ

Awesome. There is a worker at Lowe's in Southern California who deserves a dispensation. She found the order others lost, I got the Irvin 14mm "bolt-grip" socket and had the stripped bolt off in under 5 mins. Score. BTW, it was an old honda-tech thread from 2002 that put me on the trail of this socket. Thanks for that, all and mods. These sockets are excellent.