Timing Belt

I have a 2000 Camry and an trying to replace the timing belt. The crank pully bolt is extremely tight, I am going to use an electric impact gun to try to loosen it.

Any thoughts?

Jim

Take at least a 1/2" wratchet, or a 1/2" breaker bar on an extension.

Put it on the crank pulley & wedge it against the ground (on the bumper/front of the car side of the bolt)
Take out the EFI fuse so the car can't run & tap the starter.
It'll spin itself loose.

Make sure you hold the pulley securely and make sure the torque you apply to loose the bolt stops at the pulley. Do not use the engine or tranny to level out the force, or you will damage the engine/tranny parts.

That's all well & good, but most people can't generate the 200ft-lb of torque that winds up being applied because of self-tightening threads over time.
If you aint got an impact gun, that's the easyest way to do it.

I would not even consider trying to use the starter in this fashion. I'm going to try and electric inpact gun, if that doesn't work I'll fashion a tool to hold the crank pully using the puller holes.

Jim

Your loss.

I apologize if I offended you, it just there is the right tool for the job and that just didn't seem to be on the up and up. It may work quite well, but since I have other tools at my disposal I will try them first.

Jim

Ps: it is definitely a unique approach

I'm having the same problem changing the timing belt on my 92 Camry. I've tried the impact gun and the breaker bar suggestions with no luck. I can't get that nut to come loose for anything. Does anyone have any other suggestions??????

I'm having the same problem changing the timing belt on my 92 Camry. I've tried the impact gun and the breaker bar suggestions with no luck. I can't get that nut to come loose for anything. Does anyone have any other suggestions??????

jbeavers. I went to a truck tire place and they used a 3/4 impact on it. took 15min and cost $10 ! I retighten enough to get home and was no problem

I would not even consider trying to use the starter in this fashion. I'm going to try and electric inpact gun, if that doesn't work I'll fashion a tool to hold the crank pully using the puller holes.

Jim


Toysrme's method is an old tried and true method. It is one used by many shadetree mechanics over the years, when no impact gun was available. I also have a Mazda Miata and it has been recommended many times on that forum too. It will not hurt your car if you do it correctly; just bump the starter once or twice and go check the bolt.

Another method you can try is to put the breaker bar and socket on the bolt with the breaker bar out to the driver's side facing the fender. Now, if there is room, put a jack on the handle of the breaker bar and slowly jack upward. Use the car's weight to break it loose. Just be carefull you don't knock the car off the jackstands. You may just want to put the car back on the ground for this method.

An electric impact probably will not produce enough torque.

Good luck with whatever method you choose.

Mike

An electric impact wrench won't touch it. Don't waste the effort.

Mike, you better keep the engine from turning

WEF------The electric impact gun was my first choice, if it didn't work I was going to use a pneumatic.

It's easier to haul around an extension cord vs. a compressor and air hose.

Jim