crankshaft pulley bolt

[Scott McLellan]

Okay, I've heard several different methods for removing the crankshaft bolt and I'm trying to be safe and not break anything while doing it. This is on my Mom's Toyota Camry (sorry for the non-nissan here). The torque spec for this bolt is 159 lb-ft so I felt I could get it off without too much difficulty but not budgin'. I borrowed my neighbors impact wrench and air compressor (Craftsman but not top-of-the-line by any means) but it didn't do anything. By the way, is it bad to run those at higher psi than they are rated for? It's rated for 90 psi but could I try it as high as 150 psi? I've of course tried the 3 ft pipe on my 1/2" socket and I've got a 10 inch long 1/2" extension that seems to be kinda springy when I put a lot of force on it. I have the socket wrench supported by a jackstand so that it stays centered with the bolt. So my question is, I've searched around some and have heard that using the starter is okay and others say it shears off flywheel teeth. I've heard to not use an impact wrench (causes internal damage?) and I've heard that they used their 400 ft-lb wrench on there. My old boss at an autobody shop I worked at has a very powerful impact wrench that I am sure would take it off if this is an okay method. So any suggestions? Use the impact or starter? Long breaker bar isn't working cause extensions are too twisty under torque. Help please!!!

[onosqv]

the 1/2" socket extension is probably your problem.

get a longer 1/2" socket and try socket->ratchet->breaker bar. Now you can use a longer breaker bar.

for the air compressor, are you sure you set psi to "max" & the torque on the air tool to "max"?

An impact gun works on just the nut, so I don't see how it can cause internal damage when removing such a large bolt.

I have taken out my crank pulley bolt both via breaker bar & impact - works fine, just takes some time and elbow grease. I'm sure a lil pbblaster wouldn't hurt either.

[s13sr20chris]

i use breaker bar and starter methods all the time. no probs. turn that pressure up. my gun is rated at 90psi but i use over 150 all day everyday and have for all the 6 years iv had it.

[Scott McLellan]

I called and asked the Toyota dealership mechanic what the proper procedure for taking that bolt off was and he said a big impact wrench so I rented a 3/4" 800 ft-lb impact wrench and it did the trick. There wasn't any room for a breaker bar if I didn't put an extension on it so I think that was a dead end. As for the starter method, you guys think it's 100% safe then? Not gunna strip teeth off the flywheel or damage the starter or anything? I'm doing another timing belt change at school for someone where I won't have access to air. What do you think?
Modified by Scott McLellan at 7:00 PM 1/6/2006

[s13sr20chris]

when i do timing belts at home i do it that way. the only times you cant do that are if the engine is counterclockwise rotation like most hondas and some mitsubishis.