Crankshaft pulley removal methods?

[meporsche]

Changing out the timing belt on my 99 3.2L. Or trying, since I cannot get the crank pulley off. Have used lots of PB Blaster and an air wrench. ALso, jammed some bolts into the holes and tried to use a wrench to hold the pulley steady while I went after the crank bolt with a socket and breaker bar. Haynes says to use a "slip wrench or some sandpaper and a WP pliers. Yeah, right.

ANyone have this cranky problem? How to get it off? I bought this at 75K, it now has 120K, doesn't look like the belt has been changed previously.......

Thanks for any and all help.

Darwin

[amigo-2k]

how does the belt look? I personally think 120k is a good number to change the belt at.

[meporsche]

Belt still 'looks' OK but needs to be changed. But I NEED to get that crank pulley off.

Darwin

[amigo-2k]

This is a perfect question for Jerry Lemond, he would know exactly what to do. [email protected]

he is an isuzu tech.

[Mirock]

Hey there
I had the same problem on mine ,used all kind of suitable tools,braker bars etc. ,nthing worked,but one thing.
I got myself ,a 1/2 ridgit handle with the right size socket and a 3 pound hammer.
Put handle with the socket on the crank bolt , and give it a few good hits with the hammer , make sure nothing is in the way just in case you miss a handle with the hammer (hehe).It did worked for me very well after ,I think third good wack bolt came loose,and then just slide the crank pulley right off.

There is another way too but i've never tried this, some guys that i know put ratchets on the pulley weadging them against frame and just cranking the engine( not excessively ,just giving it a little short bump).Starter have enough force to brake the bolt loose.

Good Luck.

[Gizmo42]

Originally Posted by Mirock

There is another way too but i've never tried this, some guys that i know put ratchets on the pulley weadging them against frame and just cranking the engine( not excessively ,just giving it a little short bump).Starter have enough force to brake the bolt loose.

Thats the way I've always done it. Used a breaker bar wedged against the frame though instead of a ratchet (they break too easy). You need to disable the ignition though so it wont start, just crank. Not sure of the best way to do that on a '99.

[kenc195]

I used the breaker bar against the frame method 3 weeks ago. Just make sure it is against the drivers side as the engine cranks clockwise. JUST A VERY QUICK BUMP! Don't let it start.

[surferfletch]

I wasn't aware of the starter method when I did mine. I have since used it on my 2.0L Jetta and it was ridiculously easy. I will do it that way next time.

I had a pipe wrench on the pulley and a breaker bar on the bolt. I extended both with some pipe. I had my daughter work the pulley while I worked the bolt and we got it. PITA doesn't begin to describe it. It was the worst part of the job. Again, the starter method makes changing a timing belt very easy, but make sure the breaker bar is positioned right, as mentioned above.

[2eyefishclaw]

I am thinking this guy already has the bolt out when the crank puley get a bit rusted it is hell to remove I usually tap (hard) around the face of the crank puley that usually knocks it loose if a pry bar with a bit of pressure behind it while tapping on it will get it loose I have sometimes spent up to an hour working these things off

[surferfletch]

He's talking about going "after the crank bolt with a socket and breaker bar"...

[meporsche]

So have split a nice 24mm Craftsman socket. And I can't find a 24mm impact socket in my box. So I guess I will keep trying using the starter method. That s.o.b. must really be frozen on there.

Thanks to all for the posts and the help, don't think I would have come up with the starter method on my own.

Darwin

[surferfletch]

You split it using the starter method?

[srpope80]

Yep, I used the breaker bar against the frame; cheap harbor freight breaker bar, bump the engine so there is no space against the bar and the frame, disconnect the coils wires from the spark plugs (you don't want to start the car) and tick it over very briefly. Makes a tough job very easy.

-Scott

[Gizmo42]

Originally Posted by meporsche

So have split a nice 24mm Craftsman socket. And I can't find a 24mm impact socket in my box. So I guess I will keep trying using the starter method. That s.o.b. must really be frozen on there.
Darwin

Thats the nice thing about craftsman tools, you can just keep taking them back no matter how you broke it.

[surferfletch]

Glad you got it!