crank pulley bolt with breaker bar

E39MSport

I'm changing the t belt on my corolla soon - researching how to break the nut.

I've heard about this method and will be giving it a shot. Good video here imo (except the engine is side mounted).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_6SFBg7_dg

Anyone else use this method?

Owen

Tried it, cringed when I did it too. It's not a great idea by any means. Its usually a mechanics last resort as the potential is there to cause damage.

Forgive my ignorance, but where's the belt on your car, is it behind some cover that's obscured by the pulley?

E39MSport

I'm ignorant too...
Just went out to check - side mounted with belt to off side.
Had a quick read-up online to see what the steps were. One was to remove the crank pulley. Haven't taken the cover off to have a look.

tbh - I'm waiting for the Haynes to arrive before I attempt it. It's a 4e engine. Only 85k with no recorded history but there's an old Toyo main dealer sticker on the windscreen with 'next minor service at 82k or 2008'. I'm assuming the T belt was done in that case but not taking any chances.
Got it for 800 !!
Rear dampers are knackered though. Oil was thick so I'm thinking it did 2 years and about 10k miles without a change. But I've flushed it and put some nice new oil in and it's sweet. Will repeat after another 1k.

edit: - I have a cheap impact wrench but it only throws out 50Nm and won't take a wheel bolt off !

SurferDude41

Well if you have gained acess to the crank-pulley retaining bolt???
Your next step would be to remove the Flywheel inspection cover, on the gearbox.

If you can get a flywheel holding tool, from Draper of Sealy. This will stop the engine rotating, while you undo the crankshaft bolt.....:D

Slidey

Moron of a stunt to be honest.

Put the car in gear and get someone to press the brake. Failing that, get access to an impact gun.

You will end up either doing damage with that stunt.

Plug

Exactly my thought, he could easily bend valves since theres not always a key way on the crankshaft pulley. Always in top gear though.

shamwari

I get someone to stand on the brake pedal with handbrake firmly applied and the car in top gear. I then get an impact socket on a breaker bar and a length of either thick gun barrel pipe, or a scaffolding pole. This has never let me down! I've never tried to flick the bolt on the starter, and to be honest, I'd rather admit defeat and give up than try that!

Autodata shows the torque on the crank bolt @ 152NM, so expect a battle to get it out. Good luck!

salamander27

I afraid I have done it before but it was completely by accident after I was adjusting the rockers on my old 2e engined corolla......Forgot I left the bar and socket on the pulley bolt started the car and thump!

No damage done and luckily there was a key on the crank shaft!

Ya live and learn!

E39MSport

Ok - breaker bar with brakes on in top gear sounds like a viable option. I'll give it a try.
Thanks all.

101sean

It's the usual way to undo crank bolts on Land Rover tdi engines, you can't get a big rattle gun on with the engine in the vehicle and they are done up to 250Nm and loctited. Also did it recently on a Renault Trafic van for the same reason plus the clutch slipped when trying with a 8ft bar :eek:

Certainly wouldn't do it on a car where the bar would probably do some serious damage!

E39MSport

An 8 foot bar ? Holy crap. Thats almost a barge pole.

My breaker is a 3 foot piece of aluminium tubing from a trashed trampoline.