I think most of us have been there when we have "tried" to break the balancer bolt free on a 4 cyl Honda Accord [and, lots of other imports as well]. I broke my grandfathers breaker bar :[ [made in the 50's out of GOOD USA made steel] trying to break that @#$%Y$%&&*(( bolt off, on this last car.

I don't have $400 to spend on a air wrench that I won't use most of the time [I have a Craftsman that works for just about everything EXCEPT this monster bolt].

Someone on another forum recommended this for breaking the balancer bolt loose.


So what are you guys using [I know about the trick to wedge a wrench on the bolt then turn the engine over with the starter, but I want something that will do that job when the engine is out of the car].

 

Starter bump trick won't work as the engine rotates counter-clockwise, and would tighten the bolt if you tried to starter bump it.

3/3 I have been able to remove the damper bolt.
Crank pulley tool with Craftsman 1/2" breaker bar.
Impact socket >18" 1/2" extenstion > supported by jackstand > 1/2" Craftsman breaker bar with a 24" piece of cheater pipe.
Gently diving board bounce has loosened it for me. No quick movements, just pressure. Last time I was sure I was going to break something but the crank bolt yielded its grip and came off.

If you must remove the damper with the engine out can you get the engine transported to a proper mechanics shop and have them blast the bolt off for you?

 

The way Mike suggested works. Done it that way on 2 CRVs, a Del Sol, a Pilot and a Saturn Vue. Worked where a 500 ft lb impact wrench failed.

 

Get a IR 2235 max. That's what I use. It has plenty of *****. You just need the cfm to support it.

 

I've gotten the bolt off by spraying penetrating oil a couple days in advance on the bolt. And then using the jack stand setup with a 1/2 breaker bar. And then I used the jack handle on the breaker bar to act as a 3ft cheater bar.

 

You can always go to 3/4 drive socket and bar with a long extension. The handle of a floor jack makes a good extension.

 

I was thinking about picking up the 3/4" impact from harbor freight. Says its good for 1000ft/lbs. Anybody used it? They run for $94. Few reviews said this will get the crank bolt. No extensions, 19mm 3/4" drive impact socket

 

Thanks guys.

 

You might not get that bolt off with an impact gun. I've seen firsthand a very powerful air hammer taken to that bolt to no avail. We had to wait an hour for the instructor to go home and get the special dampener holder tool, and even then someone was hanging from the breaker bar, their full weight pulling down on it, before it budged.

 

I've got the 1/2" Earthquake impact from there and I love it. It is a strong beast but I have a small air compressor (21 gallon 2.5hp oiled) that won't let it be used to its full potential due to lack of cfm.

 

Don't forget to post your location.
Might have a member local to you with experience, nutty enough to help you out(and have the tools to do it).