| Re: Crank shaft pulley
I tried wedging a large screwdriver in the flywheel teeth (after removing the starter) but that proved impossible to hold enough leverage on the teeth while I attempted to break the bolt loose with my foot. I also tried the suggestion of using a breaker bar and cranking the motor (I didn't have access/affordability to an impact wrench), only to discover that it is impossible to do on my 91 Civic LX and actually only results in tightening the bolt further. My crankshaft rotates in counter-clockwise direction, which is the same direction needed to break the seal on the bolt. I wedged a breaker bar against the control arm and it made a loud "THUNK" sound when I turned it over. Then I realized my mistake and came up with the solution below.
The solution which fixed the problem, was to insert a large allen wrench through one of the holes of the crankshaft pulley (rear of the center of the crankshaft) and brace it against the lip of the oil pan. This worked to keep the pulley from rotating while I pushed on the breaker bar (with my foot) to break it loose. This also proved to be a much safer option than using my hands because the car was up on jackstands, and the foot method offered much better leverage (as opposed to using arm strength). Also, since it is an allen wrench, you can ensure that that one of the flat edges is up against the lip of the oil pan so as to prevent damage. This method does however, slightly elongate the holes used with the allen wrench.
To reinstall/retighten the bolt, just insert the large allen wrench through one of the holes forward of the center of the crankshaft and up against the lip of the oil pan and torque it to the specs.
And it does definitely help to have an assistant helping you as opposed to doing everything by yourself.
Hope this helps.
- soltero -
Last edited by soltero; 11-24-2008 at 03:05 AM.
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