So I get all the parts to change out the timing belt, pump, seals, etc. on my 1998 honda civic. Start tearing into it, get all the stuff off, EXCEPT for the freaking crank bolt. We tried everything - 5 foot breaker bar, heating, penetrator, air gun, you name it. God damn thing would not BUDGE!!! So, now it looks like I'll have to take it into a shop (I know of a good, honest, reasonable one) and hand them the parts. Anyone else have a bitch of a time getting that bolt out? Damn, I have NO IDEA how much it was torqued to. Sucks...

 

Do you have the tool to hold the crank from moving? Its a socket-looking thing that goes in and holds the crank, while you break it loose with breaker bar.

 

haha yea dude, i've been there. take your car to a shop and throw then $20 bucks or something to put your car on the lift and remove the pulley bolt, they put it back in. you just need the air gun to break it loose.


i did it with my crx and my accord since i dont have any air tools in my driveway.

 

i've never had any luck with those...

 

oh man...i know the feeling. have yet to deal with the crank bolt (i'm terrified of it based on stories), but my brake conversion took 4 days because of broken and seized bolts..i had to take it to a mechanic who had a lift and some better power/air tools and saws..and THEN i had to replace both calipers and a bearing on top of all of that..

i feel your pain!!

 

Air tools FTW. Took two seconds to zip mine off.

 

x2 They have lots of torque and with the jerking action, it gets that bolts loose

 

Yea, I had the tool to lock the pulley. Used the airgun, no luck. Penetrator oil, no luck. Heat from a torch, no luck. Used a 1" drive 5 foot breaker bar, curtousy of the mines and that f%cker still would NOT budge!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Tried that also, no luck.

 

The shop idea to break it loose sounds good, but unfortunately I had a death in the family over the weekend. So at this point, I really have no time, considering the circumstances. Hopefully it won't be too expensive. I really can't complain as the vehicle is 12 years old, has 78K original miles, and I have not spent a dime on it, except for some normal seals, plugs, filters, oil, etc.

 

Are you aware that there are different quality guns?

The Wal Mart brand for $50 will have 250ft lbs torque, a well known name like Mac or Snap On can have 750 ft lbs tq...big difference!!

 

I was planning to build a Vitara/Eagle D series in my spare time this winter and had this exact same problem. No matter what we tried, we could not get the damn crank bolt to move...needless to say, that was the end of my build since i lost all motivation to work on it . Good luck

 

one question?are u loosening the crank bolt the right direction?

 

Left loosey, righty tighty?

 

Get Liquid Wrench. It works like nothing else. Spray some on there, hit it lightly with a hammer a few times and wait about 10 minutes. Put the car in gear and have someone hold the brakes, and get the pulley off.

 

those bolts are a bitch!, we tried a impact and bam, the damn thing broke
and yes its lefty loosey righty tighty lol