Removing balancer bolt
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From: Brandon, SD
Removing balancer bolt
I have heard that some people have a hard time removing the 24MM bolt holding the balancer to the crank. I have an A4 and its up on jack stands, so the tires are not contacting the ground. (tires are off) If I have the tranny in park, and try to remove this bolt with a long breaker bar, will I be able to get the bolt out without damaging anything?? Is there a better way to remove this bolt on an A4 tranny??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally Posted by Robiwan
I have heard that some people have a hard time removing the 24MM bolt holding the balancer to the crank. I have an A4 and its up on jack stands, so the tires are not contacting the ground. (tires are off) If I have the tranny in park, and try to remove this bolt with a long breaker bar, will I be able to get the bolt out without damaging anything?? Is there a better way to remove this bolt on an A4 tranny??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Easiest way is with air tools. My bolt broke free after only a few seconds of blasting it with my run of the mill impact wrench.
You can get some relatively inexpensive compressor/tool sets for around $250 now (that's about what I bought mine for with compressor, impact wrench, die grinder and air ratchet). God bless Campbell Hausfeld
You can get some relatively inexpensive compressor/tool sets for around $250 now (that's about what I bought mine for with compressor, impact wrench, die grinder and air ratchet). God bless Campbell Hausfeld
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Grafton Ohio
The steering rack needs to be unbolted along with the tcm. I used a large prybar to move the rack high enough to remove the bolt. I first tried an impact to remove the bolt with no luck. I finally had to put a little heat on the head and the impact took it right off. I replaced the bolt with a new one just to be safe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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Originally Posted by Robiwan
I have heard that some people have a hard time removing the 24MM bolt holding the balancer to the crank. I have an A4 and its up on jack stands, so the tires are not contacting the ground. (tires are off) If I have the tranny in park, and try to remove this bolt with a long breaker bar, will I be able to get the bolt out without damaging anything?? Is there a better way to remove this bolt on an A4 tranny??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
Originally Posted by jers98vet
I replaced the bolt with a new one just to be safe.
I think they are 2 bucks to replace, the A&A kit I bought came with it.
Sorry for the caps.. just important that someone does not reuse that fastener.
I took mine out with an impact and put it back in the same way.. I have one that is a middle of the road and will do 350 ft lbs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Like 1Vette1Ty said,
BUY A NEW BOLT!!! DON'T REUSE THE OLD BOLT.
Trust me on this. I don't know how, but I overlooked that part and it never torqued down right. On the dyno, the crank bolt came loose, started backing out, which started backing the crank pulley out. That made the belt slip off the tenioner, and the belt would not line back up. It was a major PITA that could have been prevented.
BUY A NEW BOLT!!! DON'T REUSE THE OLD BOLT.
Trust me on this. I don't know how, but I overlooked that part and it never torqued down right. On the dyno, the crank bolt came loose, started backing out, which started backing the crank pulley out. That made the belt slip off the tenioner, and the belt would not line back up. It was a major PITA that could have been prevented.
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From: Brandon, SD
Thank you all for your advice. I will NOT re use the bolt.
If I were to insert a screwdriver into the flywheel, does it go into a hole in the flywheel, or am I jamming it into the teeth. Hopefully not the teeth.....
I guess I could put the rear wheels on and lower it back down to the ground and block the tires. Just makes the journey longer, but its winter and working on the car is so much fun.
If I were to insert a screwdriver into the flywheel, does it go into a hole in the flywheel, or am I jamming it into the teeth. Hopefully not the teeth.....
I guess I could put the rear wheels on and lower it back down to the ground and block the tires. Just makes the journey longer, but its winter and working on the car is so much fun.
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From: Knoxville Tennessee
I take it you don't have an air compressor?
It is very easy to take off with an impact.
If you are going to hold it by something, you can try to hold it through the holes in the flywheel.
You can hold it by the teeth if you had to, I don't see how you would hold it tight enough to loosen that up though.
Good luck.
It is very easy to take off with an impact.
If you are going to hold it by something, you can try to hold it through the holes in the flywheel.
You can hold it by the teeth if you had to, I don't see how you would hold it tight enough to loosen that up though.
Good luck.
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Originally Posted by 1Vette1Ty
I take it you don't have an air compressor?
It is very easy to take off with an impact.
It is very easy to take off with an impact.
Just be sure to ONLY use the impact when you're removing bolts, and when putting bolts back in ALWAYS thread by hand at least 4-5 threads, then gently use the air ratchet (i.e., not full pressure).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally Posted by QuickSilver2002
I just have one comment to add.
I have a decent impact wrench(~600ft lbs) and it could not get my bolt to brake loose. A 4ft braker bar from up top is the way I always do it.
I have a decent impact wrench(~600ft lbs) and it could not get my bolt to brake loose. A 4ft braker bar from up top is the way I always do it.
I borrowed a wicked impact from a friends shop, but I didn't have the power from the air compressor to back it up, so out came the good old breaker bar.
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Originally Posted by QuickSilver2002
I just have one comment to add.
I have a decent impact wrench(~600ft lbs) and it could not get my bolt to brake loose. A 4ft braker bar from up top is the way I always do it.
I have a decent impact wrench(~600ft lbs) and it could not get my bolt to brake loose. A 4ft braker bar from up top is the way I always do it.
Was that the factory crank bolt? Maybe mine was easier because it's a non-GM crank and the bolt was less than 4 months old -- it literally only took a few seconds to blast off.
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From: Brandon, SD
Thanks again. I have a compressor and impact driver, and will surely try this first. Maybe add a little heat also, and if this works, wonderful. If not, then its pry bar time. I just don't feel good about locking up the flywheel and putting all that torque with a pry bar on the flywheel with a screwdriver or a piece of metal wedged in there. Guess I shouldn't be??