How to loosen crank bolt

[bugedd]

Okay, I am frustrated. Between my child verbally abusing me and the car, I am about ready to start drinking. And its only 11am. So what is the trick to getting the crank bolt loose? I tried putting it in gear, blocking the wheels, and nothing. It pushes the blocks out of the way. I put the breaker bar against the inner fender and cranked the motor and it wouldn't break loose. The steering rack is in the way, so I can't get the impact on it. Solutions?

 

[tomshobby]

Maybe not a good idea to use the gears in the drive line for a break against that kind of force. The gear teeth are not designed for it. I once did that with a large farm tractor I owned instead of getting out the impact and ended up replacing a rather expensive gear. AND still had to get out the impact.

Can you leave the transmission mount on and raise the engine enough to get at it.

 

[mightymidget]

I had no luck at home, took to a machine shop to remove cause I wasn't sure which way was lousie. Fortunately mine was out of the car

 

[bugedd]

Ya, I can get a socket on it with it jacked up, just can't get it to break loose.

 

[lesingepsycho]

It IS lefty-loosey which is why you need to be sure to use a new locktab washer (the one I'm sure you have undone all the tabs on, right?), otherwise it can (and therefore probably will) relieve itself of its duty. How do you suppose I know that one. :smirk: :wink:

Unfortunately for you, I've never had any problems getting mine off so I don't have any clever tricks to pass along. So instead I'll just wish you good luck!

JACK

 

[tomshobby]

Time for a swench wrench. The smaller 1/2" drive would easily do it and you would not even break a sweat. Check and see if you can rent one. Probably the single most amazing tool I have ever used.

https://www.powerhawk.com/products_swench.html

 

[The_architect]

Bugedd, I presume you have read this thread about this subject (and much, much more)? Lots to be learned there.

Charlie

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Impact gun. If you raise the engine and have the radiator out you can even use a big electric impact gun like this :
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-electric-impact-wrench-45252.html

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Trick for most cars we have used in shops for decades.
Long breaker bar.
Inserted into appropriate socket.
Place socket onto bolt.
Rotate engine (by hand) in normal rotation direction (clockwise from the front) until the breaker bar is firmly against the underside of the frame rail.
Stand back,
Tap starter.
Trust me.

 

[bugedd]

I tried taping the starter, I'll give it another try. Problem lies with engine turning over, even in gear. I wish I had an impact, that would make life easier.

 

[JPSmit]

I tried taping the starter, I'll give it another try. Problem lies with engine turning over, even in gear. I wish I had an impact, that would make life easier.

Or a friend with an impact driver.

Is there anyone around who loans/rents them? Or a local car club you could ask? even a high school?

 

[equiprx]

Chico is probably too far away from Pacifica but you could use mine.

 

[bugedd]

Okay, I just tried an electric GM impact wrench, and no luck. I also again tried the bump start with the breaker bar against the inner fender, and no luck either. The washer is bent out of the way. So its just really frozen in there. What I need to figure out is how to hold the motor still and keep it from turning while I break it loose. Any thoughts on how to jam up the motor? Something I can wedge somewhere?

 

[ChrisS]

My first choice would be an air impact of course but barring that you can fill a cylinder with 1/4" rope through the spark plug hole while it is on the compression stoke (both valves closed), leaving a tail outside the engine to recover the rope later. Turn the engine over by hand until it locks up and then use a breaker bar to loosen and remove the dampener bolt. To be consistent with every British car manual I've read, assemble in reverse order.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

so, tell me, this "Problem lies with engine turning over, even in gear. I wish I had an impact, that would make life easier."
WHY won't it turn over, and why are you trying to remove the damper bolt?
Is the engine toast?
If so, pull it out......going to be easier to get that bolt off when it's out.
Are you doing any more work on it?
Like, pulling the oil sump?
If so, a piece of pipe jammed between the crank counterweight and the side of the block, and a big chunk of pipe as a cheater bar on the breaker bar.
Is the starter bad?
Pull the starter, have someone hold a prybar in the ring gear teeth and then break it loose. I've had to do that on Hondas, never damaged a ring gear yet.
Heat?

 

[nomad]

My vote is with TOC. Pull the starter and use a large screwdriver or pry bar that fits the teeth on the flywheel. Always worked for me. If that won't do it use same procedure only with box open wrench on the nut then whack it with a large hammer. [Commonly known as a BFH!]

Kurt.

 

[tomshobby]

My vote is with TOC. Pull the starter and use a large screwdriver or pry bar that fits the teeth on the flywheel. Always worked for me. If that won't do it use same procedure only with box open wrench on the nut then whack it with a large hammer. [Commonly known as a BFH!]

Kurt.

I agree with the pry bar on the flywheel. Much better than using the drive line gears.

 

[bugedd]

The timing cover is cracked, that's why I am pulling this apart.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Why won't it turn over properly with the starter?

 

[nomad]

Tom: That "Swench" looks like one heck of a tool. Any idea what it costs???

Kurt.