94 camry 2.2L Crankshaft Bolt

groovyforster · 08-09-2008, 06:47 PM

Is this bolt left or right hand thread? I already broke my crank pulley holding tool. The bolt shouldn't be too tight. The timing belt has been changed every 60,000 miles. Any ideas?

rhandwor · 08-09-2008, 08:24 PM

Counter clock wise to loosen. Clockwise to tighten. I use an impact wrench to loosen. I imagine who ever did it last used one to install it and got it to tight.
Block it and use a big plastic mallet and hit the breaker bar.

groovyforster · 08-09-2008, 10:14 PM

What do you use to block it?

rhandwor · 08-10-2008, 09:05 AM

You can use a large chain wrench, a Big screwdriver wedged in the flywheel, they make a special tool to do this.
http://www.matcotools.com/ type in FT23800 This is a picture of this tool.
Some people pull the starter and wedge a big screwdriver in this area.

jdmccright · 08-11-2008, 11:40 AM

As long as the timing belt is still installed, you can loosen it by removing the primary coil wire, then wedge a breaker bar against the front crossmember and turn the ignition key for a split second to "bump" the engine...works like a charm.

Reinstalling isn't as easy...you can't "bump" the engine in reverse, and rotating the engine counterclockwise is highly inadvisable. I used a large strap wrench around the crankshaft pulley and wedged it against the right side subframe. Holding the strap wrench stable, I was able to tighten the pulley bolt. But I'd suggest using safety glasses and shop gloves...there's gonna be alot of tension in that strap wrench when you're done and have to remove it.

I tried to use the "screwdriver wedged into the flywheel" trick through the starter hole, but couldn't find anything to stick the screwdriver into. If you can get this to work, it's a safer alternative to my solution. Good luck!

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