2001 Quest - reinstalling crankshaft bolt

A forum for the Nissan Quest... minivan lovers unite!
2001QuestDriver
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:19 am
Car: 2001 Nissaqn Quest

Post

How can I reinstall the crankshaft bolt so that I can tighten it to the 150 ftlb torque without the crankshaft moving on me?
Is there a way to stop the crankshaft from moving?


Smokeystover39
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:22 pm
Car: 1997 Quest

Post

There are several ways to hold the crankshaft from moving while you torque the center bolt. Take your pick because they all work: 1) remove the starter and wedge a sturdy screwdriver in the flywheel teeth. This entails a lot of extra work. 2) use a sturdy strap wrench on the damper pulley to hold it still. This is usually a two person task. 3) remove the spark plug from #2 cylinder, rotate the crankshaft until the piston for #2 is almost at TDC, insert ONE END of a new cotton clothes line into the cylinder (making sure that the end is not frayed) and place enough of the line to fill the cylinder. Keep the other end of the line dangling over the valve cover. Turn the crankshaft until the piston cannot move any further. Remember the two valves are closed at TDC so the line will not be cut by an exposed valve edge. The line acts as a wedge between the cylinder head and the piston. Apply the required torque in steps AFTER using Locktite on the bolt threads, then back off on the crankshaft so as to cause the piston to move down just enough to free the rope. Use the loose end to pull the rope from the cylinder. Do NOT use plastic or nylon rope - you do not want any disintegration or rope coils adhering to one another. Let us know what method you used to apply the torque.

2001QuestDriver
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:19 am
Car: 2001 Nissaqn Quest

Post

Thanks for the suggestions. Tried using a strap wrench on the damper pulley (2 people) but still could not get it anywhere near the required 150 ft-lb torque. Decided to get a Harbor Freight 1/2" electric impact wrench with a max of 230 ft-lb torque, and used a 27mm socket, to just tighten further. Not sure what the torque on it is right now but I figure the bolt will not be coming out when I drive the car after using the electric impact wrench.


Return to “Quest Forum”