When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm replacing my water pump and timing belt on my d16y7, and I've spent days now breaking tools and being totally frustrated trying to break the bolt loose on my harmonic balancer. I do not have the tool that holds it still, nor will I have the extra money to go buy it. I've tried putting the car in gear and having someone hold the breaks, I've tried scotching the cam gear and wound up breaking the timing belt, I've even tried putting the weight of the car down on the harmonic balancer all with no luck. I've even broke a 1/2" breaker bar trying to bust this thing loose. I do not have access to an impact, does anyone have any idea how I can bust this bad boy loose??? I need this car for work and can't afford to lose any more time working on this!!! Any help is appreciated!!!!
Really sorry to hear of your woes.
However, I would have researched this little procedure a little more to find out that
The Honda harmonic balancer bolt is very difficult to get out without a special tool and impact tool.
The only options left is to either buy the right tools for the job
Or to bring it to someone who has the right tools
Nothing short of this will work.
I've never had a problem just using an impact on them. I have a Porter-Cable PT502, which though it is far from being a premium tool, is a little step up over the real junk. As Eric points out, the key with any pneumatic impact is to get plenty of air to it.
By hand with the car not on a lift, you will need a long enough extension to get the breaker bar out past the fender, since you can't swing it under the car. Put the pivot point where the breaker bar joins the extension on a jack stand so you can use both hands to lean down on the end of the bar. Then of course you need to block the engine from turning. On a manual car shift to 5 and jam a screwdriver in the side of the brake rotor(s) to prevent them from turning. On an automatic car you can jam the engine with rope in one of the cylinders. This is a trick commonly used on lawn mowers and motorcycles. Be sure that it is on the true compression stroke (both valves closed) when using rope.
Do not let anyone talk you into trying the "bump the starter" trick, it DOES NOT WORK ON A CIVIC because the engine turns in the direction that will tighten the bolt not loosen it. By the way this bolt is a regular right hand thread, turn it counterclockwise to loosen.
check local tool rental and see if they rent out an cordless impact, corded impact, battery power impact, air tool impact ( yes rent air compressor as well). 1/2 recommended.
last one I had ('06 Odyssey) that didn't want to move by normal means including the correct pulley tool, breaker bar and impact guns (air and electric) finally came off after i soaked it with some liquid wrench penetrating oil and let it sit for an hour or so. came loose easily
If you ever do get an air compressor, I recommend using the Lisle harmonic balancer socket - the extra mass helps spin it right off.
Another trick you can use is to put some brake fluid (non-compressible fluid) into the air inlet on your impact gun then use it. You get one or two go's at it and it makes a huge mess but I have had it work. Not 100% sure how this affects the inside of the impact gun though, so do this at your own risk.
If you're doing it without air, the best way is with the crank pulley holder tool and a name brand breaker bar. If you have a single cam and don't want to buy the crank pulley holder tool, you can use a long 2x4 as the crank pulley holder tool. Get some rope and tie the end of the board (narrow edge of the board against the pulley) to the pulley, lacing through the holes in the pulley (this won't work on B-series engines). Very ghetto, but it works.
I've always thought a flywheel lock that bolted into the starter location would be a great tool, but I haven't seen one before. Honda makes a flywheel lock, but I think it can only be used with the transmission off the engine.
My Mac 1/2” impact would not break some of them loose. Had to go the old fashioned way: This was on my Odyssey last month. Not pictured is the cheater pipe I used.
My Mac 1/2” impact would not break some of them loose. Had to go the old fashioned way: This was on my Odyssey last month. Not pictured is the cheater pipe I used.
I also use this method. I use my floor jack handle over the breaker bar and rock gently. I liberally use pb blaster as well
i have the 28 volt version on this and it’s a bad dude, I use it at the track for changing my slicks, It’s not as strong as my Ingersal Rand 1/2 impact, but’s still a awesome tool to have
Last edited by turboLScrx; Jan 19, 2019 at 08:57 AM.
If you use a torch, use some degreaser first. I set the front of the engine in my wife's Accord on fire before - I had an extinguisher about 10 feet away so I put it out before anything got roasted, but it scared the hell out of me, and the extinguisher made a huge mess.
Harmonic balancer help!!!
