Issues Removing Crank Pulley Bolt
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Issues Removing Crank Pulley Bolt
I've finally got the steering rack out of the way and am trying to take off the crank pulley to get access to my broken timing chain.
The car is on ramps, blocked, in reverse, with the ebrake tightly pulled. Without a flywheel clamp I realize that I'll need to take the slack out of the drivetrain first and I believe I've done that. What I've having an issue with is the fact that the pulley feels like it's on a spring. I only have access to pull about 90 degrees, but all that is taken up compressing this "spring" action. Then I don't have anywhere to go and my wrench is begging to go flying in the other direction. Why am I getting a "spring" effect?
I then decided to use the belt to wrap over itself and attach to the frame (as some have recommended). This seemed to work better as I didn't have to compressing the "spring", but resulted in sheering off the end of my crappy ratchet. Should I go out and buy a non-ratcheting breaker bar?
The car is on ramps, blocked, in reverse, with the ebrake tightly pulled. Without a flywheel clamp I realize that I'll need to take the slack out of the drivetrain first and I believe I've done that. What I've having an issue with is the fact that the pulley feels like it's on a spring. I only have access to pull about 90 degrees, but all that is taken up compressing this "spring" action. Then I don't have anywhere to go and my wrench is begging to go flying in the other direction. Why am I getting a "spring" effect?
I then decided to use the belt to wrap over itself and attach to the frame (as some have recommended). This seemed to work better as I didn't have to compressing the "spring", but resulted in sheering off the end of my crappy ratchet. Should I go out and buy a non-ratcheting breaker bar?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 12
From: Alpharetta Georgia
I had to use a 1/2" breaker bar and a 12 point socket to get to the point to when I had all of the slack taken out of the drivetrain, I still had useable range of motion to break the bolt loose. Get a quality socket and a decent breaker bar with a ~17" handle or so.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
Yes. I'm assuming you don't have access to an impact and enough compressor to give her hell. That's how I get mine off and it works like a champ.
I feel like the gladiator telling you its frost on the blade, but its probably loc-tite if whoever assembled it did their job. I'd tell ya to heat the bolt a lil but there's a bunch that can go wrong there and I don't wanna be responsible. Let us know. Do get a big breaker bar of high quality along with an impact socket of the same quality and you should be able to get enough *** behind it to break free. Leverage is your friend. May the force, and a piece of pipe, be with you
I feel like the gladiator telling you its frost on the blade, but its probably loc-tite if whoever assembled it did their job. I'd tell ya to heat the bolt a lil but there's a bunch that can go wrong there and I don't wanna be responsible. Let us know. Do get a big breaker bar of high quality along with an impact socket of the same quality and you should be able to get enough *** behind it to break free. Leverage is your friend. May the force, and a piece of pipe, be with you
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Was the drivetrain springy at the limit? I would expect that once at the limit it would be firm. I wasn't able to get a good resistance. I will be getting a hold of a good breaker bar and I've got about 4' of extension if I need it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
The slack is from clutch springs and rubber bushings throughout the drivetrain... It was not enough to prevent me from taking a breaker bar to it and getting it lose though...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I have to have someone stick a screwdriver into one of the bell housing access ports to brace the flywheel while I use a 1/2" breaker bar with my jack handle over it to get the bolt on/off. This gets rid of the drivetrain slack problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
I already poked around under there and didn't see any way for me to access it without taking off the starter. Where should I be looking for these access ports?
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
My 05 M6 bell housing has no inspection holes much to my heated frustration.
We have on occasion put the car in gear and stood on the brakes. Use a higher gear. Not the best method but it did the trick a few times.
We have on occasion put the car in gear and stood on the brakes. Use a higher gear. Not the best method but it did the trick a few times.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The GM procedure calls for a special tool that inserts into the flywheel after removing the starter.
Disconnect and remove the starter.
Install the flywheel holding fixture J 42386-A.
Maybe you can manufacture a holding fixture on your own. You are going to run into an even bigger problem when you try to torque up the new bolt so properly addressing it now maybe the best course to take.
Disconnect and remove the starter.
Install the flywheel holding fixture J 42386-A.
Maybe you can manufacture a holding fixture on your own. You are going to run into an even bigger problem when you try to torque up the new bolt so properly addressing it now maybe the best course to take.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
Since we are on the subject, can I suggest you pin the crank while you are in there? Since its apart its an easy job and really goes a long way towards keeping the bolt where it should be. 250 ft/lbs is the only insurance you have against the bolt walking out. I threw the balancer with the required tq and loctite head/cam only. Somethign to think about.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Stop puttin' off buyin' that 1/2" drive air impact wrench you been wantin' ! ! !
Ingersoll Rand makes some nice ones - I have the Thunder Gun myself.
Ingersoll Rand makes some nice ones - I have the Thunder Gun myself.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Since we are on the subject, can I suggest you pin the crank while you are in there? Since its apart its an easy job and really goes a long way towards keeping the bolt where it should be. 250 ft/lbs is the only insurance you have against the bolt walking out. I threw the balancer with the required tq and loctite head/cam only. Somethign to think about.
Regardless, I've got to get things apart and see if the pistons are cracked or not. They actually might be in better shape than 1.8t's. We'll see one I get them cleaned.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Without already owning a compressor this is not an economical option. Borrowing a compressor and gun would be a better idea... Anyone out there in Seattle have a compressor and gun they wanna loan out if my breaker bar doesn't do the trick?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I've considered it, but am a bit worried about screwing it up. The idea of me of drilling the crank by hand... Maybe it's not as prone for error as I think it is...
Regardless, I've got to get things apart and see if the pistons are cracked or not. They actually might be in better shape than 1.8t's. We'll see one I get them cleaned.
Regardless, I've got to get things apart and see if the pistons are cracked or not. They actually might be in better shape than 1.8t's. We'll see one I get them cleaned.
You can see me drilling it about 15 seconds into my supercharger install video
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 739
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
The GM procedure calls for a special tool that inserts into the flywheel after removing the starter.
Disconnect and remove the starter.
Install the flywheel holding fixture J 42386-A.
Maybe you can manufacture a holding fixture on your own. You are going to run into an even bigger problem when you try to torque up the new bolt so properly addressing it now maybe the best course to take.
Disconnect and remove the starter.
Install the flywheel holding fixture J 42386-A.
Maybe you can manufacture a holding fixture on your own. You are going to run into an even bigger problem when you try to torque up the new bolt so properly addressing it now maybe the best course to take.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 752
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From: Lebanon CT.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
I told a forum member about it April of last year and he broke the belt.
It would still be my first choice, great job of illustrating it in your thread.