How did you guys loosen the bolts without the pulley turning? I have the belt off, would putting it back on keep it from turning? I'll give that a try.

 

Belt should work. Or if it's a six speed, set the parking brake and put it in gear.

 

Belt added some resistance but it still turns. Got an automatic for bracket racing at the drag strip so no luck with it in gear either. I suppose I'll just find something else to work on untill someone can let me know how they did it. Anyone?

 

Bummer. Maybe apply tension to the belt tensioner with a wrench while trying :confused: .

 

My other question is, should I be loosening the single bolt in the center or the three outer bolts on the pulley? I saw in an archives search that the balancer can be loosened enough to remove the optispark without fully removing the balancer. This is what I'm attempting. I'll never try to work on the car again without my service manual.

 

Three outer bolts, then the balancer should come off the hub, which can remain in place. You don't need to remove the hub (center bolt), which is a major pain. The balancer may be rusted in place and require some "persuasion" to remove. Good luck.

 

Does the auto allow it to rotate when in Park? What about if you put it in D or R? Interesting.

I guess you could try and get two wrenches down there and place one on the crank center hub bolt and hold that one while you undo the other 3. You will probably want to rotate it to get the bolt you are trying to loosen up to the top anyway so the power steering rack is not in the way. I do have a flat ratchet wrench that I can use to get to all 3 without it rotating, but with my standard ratchets it has to be rotated to get them on the bolt. FWIW, all 4 of them are 5/8". Like previously mentioned, you do not have to, nor really want to remove the hub, just the outer pulley (3 bolts). Also as mentioned, you may need to apply some persuation to it if it has never been removed. I use a long wooden handle and hit it from the underside. Hit one side, then the other until it works its way free. Most people suggest hitting it from behind (get under the car to do so) and make sure you hit it on the center section because you run the risk of hurting the rubber dampner that connects the two peices together (the balancer pulley is 2 peices not including the hub). I just hit the outer edge and have never had any problems from the 3-4 cars I have done this on.

EDIT:fixed spelling errors :rolleyes:


[Modified by Vette92, 3:27 PM 8/30/2002]

 

Awesome, I just got online to ask how I should go about convincing it to come off now that I've got the bolts out. ...and the answer is already here. You guys are more helpful than my service manual, even if it wasn't in my closet over an hour away from here. I'll go persuede it.

Work some, clean the hands, get on the Corvette Forum, Work some, clean the hands, get on the Corvette Forum...... LMAO :-)

 

Yes, the auto does allow it to rotate in park and drive. Did not try reverse. While I'm outside I'll just swap the 6 speed from my 91 into the 94, just kidding, too much work :)

 

I've worked my way up to placing a baseball bat on the outer edge of each side from under the car and hitting the bat with one of those little sledge hammers. :smash: It still won't budge. Aren't you glad I'm not working on your car. Hopefully after it is all back together I don't have the trouble Nathan is having.

 

Brian, try some penetrating oil. If it still won't come off easily, get two breaker bars and a friend. If both of you work the balancer off with the breaker bars it WILL come off. You may crack the optispark case if you're not careful, but if you're replacing it it doesn't really matter.

 

Will try, gotta go out and figure out a better place to pry from.

 

I also used two ratchets when removing the three bolts; one ratchet on the center bolt to hold it still, then the other ratchet to remove the other 3. But sounds like you figured that out. BTW I retorqued he center bolt to spec afterward, just in case it loosened up a bit.

To get the balancer off spray liberally with liquid wrench. I used a crowbar as a large screwdriver and *very very* carefully worked the balancer loose from the top. If you go this route, make sure you use more of a twisting motion rather than prying it. Do this at 4-5 places along the top of the balancer and go slowly. The wooden dowel method didn't quite work out for me. Good luck.

 

I got it guys, thanks. The penetrating oil made it much easier. I used the "smack it good with the wood" approach.