Complications after messing with coolant elbows

[zuper8]

I will not have air tools!

thanks for the socket size Andrew, I was going to ask that next.

and Don, you are MORE than welcome to come over. I need some one to slap me around and tell me to get back to work in case I start crying.

[Jrs3800]

She don't know me verrry well do she... If I have to slap you around I might just keep you from the task at hand...

It can all be done without air tools... A bit of a PITA if you get a little lazy like me.. Once the Balancer is out of the way it will get a bit easier.. If you were any closer I'd loan you my 3800 Puller... and air to get the bolts out..

Best of Luck Rachael... I know you can do it..

Nothing like a lady who works on her cars and she has a Job at the parts store

[Bob Dillon]

So, is it done?

[zuper8]

nope..... can't get that harmonic balancer bolt off. either i somehow get a hold of air tools, or it has to be taken to a shop. which would be so humiliating, because i know that i'm totally capable of doing this if it weren't for that bolt. i know that if i got it off, the rest would be totally within my realm of ability. i guess i should just quit being proud and give up. but i'm waiting on a phone call from a friend who said he could lend me an air compressor and an impact gun, so we'll see.

oh yeah and not to mention that the guys at work would give me so much *shoot* if i wasn't able to do it... i'd never hear the end of it. even more incentive not to take it to a shop lol

[harofreak00]

Block the flywheel and use a 24" breaker bar, it will come.

[zuper8]

Block the flywheel and use a 24" breaker bar, it will come.

been trying that for the past couple days, lol. also tried clicking the starter, that didn't even work.

[harofreak00]

add a piece of pipe to the breaker bar... if you break the tools before the bolt comes loose, than you can bring it in

[Bob Dillon]

I use an electric impact gun. Put a bigger breaker bar on it. It'll loosen.

[zuper8]

have a pipe over it already. no one around here sells a bigger breaker bar than 24". the hardest part is holding the stupid flywheel. in my FSM there's a picture of a "flywheel holding tool" but i don't know where to get one of those. called around and no one had even heard of it

[agrazela]

So you already know about the as-long-as-possible breaker bar. You also know about putting a pipe over the end of that (I use an 8-foot galvanized steel fence post). But are you also using a short extension between the breaker and socket, then supporting that with a jackstand?

BTW, if holding the flywheel is really your issue, I have the flywheel holding tool if you need it.

[sandrock]

Take off the inspection cover if it isn't already. Stick an extension or a mighty thick screwdriver in one of the flywheel holes. Guaranteed it will jam and hold.

[zuper8]

Take off the inspection cover if it isn't already. Stick an extension or a mighty thick screwdriver in one of the flywheel holes. Guaranteed it will jam and hold.

i actually did that and it held great, but then i was afraid i'd break the flywheel! lol. in that case i'll try it again

also i borrowed an electric impact gun. it might not be powerful enough, but it's worth a shot i think

[Bob Dillon]

also i borrowed an electric impact gun. it might not be powerful enough, but it's worth a shot i think

Should work. Mine does. Much handier than an air impact.

[zuper8]

yeah it's only got 220 ftlbs of torque but i think if i just hang on to it and let it hammer a little bit it will do the trick

[willwren]

Keep in mind the longer you keep at it, the looser the impact will make it. With a 6" extension in the flywheel hole, rotate the engine in the 'loosening direction' carefuelly, and when it stops, inspect the location of the extension to make sure it's not going to hurt anything important.

If it looks good, give it all she's got!

[93RedSled-SSE]

Something that worked for me when nothing else would was a suggestion from Bill Buttermore. Using enough socket extensions to get the breaker bar outside the fender, support the outer end on a jack stand (adjusted and blocked to the proper height). This will allow you to get more grunt on it or use a nice big pipe. It all worked when a 300+ ft lb air impact wouldn't touch it. Buttermore has pix, but I think you can figure out the jack stand okay.
When you get the bolt out, there are a few details regarding the puller to use and the bolt size and lengths. These guys can keep you going with that when you get ready.

[Sirius]

aright ya'll, here's my list of stuff:

timing cover (in the mail, gonna arrive tomorrow, thanks haro!)
timing cover gasket set
HB puller with the m6x1.0 long bolts
24" breaker bar for the HB bolt/ nut/ thingy
strong male friends on retainer
beer
cuss words

I don't believe you've used the last item on your list liberally enough. If you were a real pro, that would be the only tool on your list.

Sometimes alternating between loosen and tighten on your impact wrench will help break a stubborn bolt loose. If the impact gun you have doesn't cut it, see if you can acquire one with higher torque - remember, your reputation with your co-workers is at stake and you can't let this stupid bolt get the best of you.

[Mechanical Mike]

I had one that wouldn't come off with a 400+ ft/lb impact wrench. I ended up heating it up with a propane torch & it came right off. The torch was on it less than a minute.

[gonzo4191]

any update???? and i second the lossening/tightening sequence!

[Jrs3800]

I had one that wouldn't come off with a 400+ ft/lb impact wrench. I ended up heating it up with a propane torch & it came right off. The torch was on it less than a minute.

I have been there and done that as well... Sometimes a little heat can go a long ways..

My Impacts are roughly 700 Ft Lbs... We are looking at one in the 1000 Ft Lb range..