Expert: Sean Halliday - 6/8/2007

Question
Do I need a special tool to remove?  If I can bind the pulley so that I can remove bolt with 26mm socket, is it right hand threaded?  I have installed 8mm hex bolts in threaded holes on the pulley and attempted to remove (both right & left directions) and it has not broken free.  I have a 3ft breaker bar and so far I have just bent the 8mm bolts.  Any suggestions?

Answer
What vehicle is this?Nearly all crank pulleys are normal thread and as far as locking the engine, it is done with a special tool as the bolt on the pulley is usually torqued to 160-180 ft lbs.I have seen some tight bolts and take a huge amount of pressure to remove them.Most shops use the air hammer and spin them off in seconds but with no air available its done with a do it your self way which will work.The 8mm bolts are for the puller that you need to remove the pulley once the crank bolt is looose.DO NOT  ruin these bolt holes or you will never get it off.Easy way to do it is ...remove number one spark plug ,bring the engine to TDC top dead center(#1 cyl) and make sure the valves are closed.(valve cover removed)Turn the engine forward until the piston is at bottom and insert some nylon rope 1/2 inch thick down the plug hole then turn the engine back to TDC.This will lock the engine and do no harm as long as the valves are closed.MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY CLOSED OR YOU WILL BEND THEM.Then you can remove the bolt and install your harmonic balancer removal tool which is abvailable in the parts store for $20.(approx)Its easy if you take your time and do not try to lock the pulley any other way because you will damage something.You may need a bigger breaker bar because as i said i have used some a lot longer as these bolts are tight,as they,re put on in the factory with air hammers.To tighten the bolt is reverse procedure with the piston turned back before tdc.