Crank bolt hard to loosen - 5sfe, SOLVED Options

[dgbldr]

I can't loosen the bolt on the front of the crank. It's on real tight.

I tried an air impact rated at 600 ft-lbs. No go. Not real confident it actually puts out that much torque, but still...

Also made a tool similar to the factory tool to hold the pulley. Long plate with 2 bolts through it into the threaded holes on the pulley. Torqued plate hard against pulley. Used cheater bar to turn crank bolt. No go, bent the 2 bolts. I estimate I put about 250-300 ft-lbs on it.

Has anybody run across this problem before and found a solution?

This post has been edited by dgbldr: Apr 24, 2009 - 6:47 PM

[bccentaur3]

Put your 1/2 ratchet with a breaker bar on it and plant it against the ground. Pull your efi fuse and the plug that goes to your coil and turn the starter over. That crank pulley bolt WILL break loose.

[FAQdaWorld]

You can try that with the starter, or you can just try sliding a big pipe over your breaker bar. I remember it was on my 4agze really really tight. You either need an incredibly strong impact wrench or a long breaker bar (use leverage to your advantage).

-Ryan

[dgbldr]

Thanks William. That's a good idea, I'll try it in the morning.

Ryan, leverage on the bolt is not the problem. The problem is holding the pulley from turning.

[soulshadow]

650lb rated impact wrench does the job, but make sure its actually tested at 650lbs. Some cheapo's don't even get close to 500 when it says 600.
When you press on the trigger and it sounds like a tornado, you have your 650lb wrench, but if it just buzzes and whirls thats just an underrated wrench.

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

Get some of the loctite freeze in a can sh!t and give that bolt a damm good floging with it, give the bolt head a couple of love taps with a hammar to break the seal then either get back on it with the rattle gun or crank the starter on a breaker bar.

[FAQdaWorld]

When I pulled my 4agze pulley i actually threaded two bolts into the pulley (they were there so you can use a pulley puller). I had my mom (she was the only one around at the time lol) hold a pry bar in it using those two bolts and then i went to town with big prybar; Keep in mind that I didn't care what happened to this pulley as i was swapping it out. Since you've already tried something like this though...

Another thought that may work would be to have someone hold the brakes down while its 'in gear'. That should keep the pulley from turning as well and probably a bit more elegant then using brute force to get it done.

Sorry I guess I just glanced at your post before

This post has been edited by FAQdaWorld: Apr 24, 2009 - 4:59 AM

[Ryouxrs]

all the above will work, u get what u pay for with air tools, i spent 500 on my gun, but its tested at 1000ft lbs.

[azian_advanced]

if torque and lubrication methods don't work, use heat. no bolt has ever been too tight for all 3 combined! . use a small propane torch or someting, it works well for tough suspension bolts but i'd be careful since you're dealing with a critical section of the engine. you wouldn't wanna warp the pulleys if you're not too careful.. but i'd leave this as a last resort.

[Ryouxrs]

if torque and lubrication methods don't work, use heat. no bolt has ever been too tight for all 3 combined! . use a small propane torch or someting, it works well for tough suspension bolts but i'd be careful since you're dealing with a critical section of the engine. you wouldn't wanna warp the pulleys if you're not too careful.. but i'd leave this as a last resort.

X2

[dgbldr]

Thanks guys. I got it loose.

Loctite Freeze & Release first, then cheater bar against the floor. Popped on the first short blip of the starter.

I don't know if the Freeze and Release was absolutely necessary, but I'm sure it helped.