Don't cheap out, replace those crank keys once every so often .. LOL

[500KCamry]

A little while after putting my fifth timing belt into my 95, it started to sound like it had major motor problems.

Turned out that the key on the crank was wearing into the timing belt sprocket and had almost doubled the slot width. Under load the car ran fine but at idle it started to rattle like a snake.

Guess the key was worn and allowed a little play, which quickly excalated to a lot of play.

One new key and time belt spocket and it runs oh so smooth again.

[Eye8Pussies]

what's a key?

[500KCamry]

Key - that little slice of a circle, about 1/8" thick that drops into a slot on the crank shaft and rises into the groove on the timing belt gear. It locks them so they rotate together.

[Eye8Pussies]

interesting....I've never done a 5sfe timing belt, cuz I don't remember a key on the 1mz crankshaft

good to know

[Skiermang]

I believe it's called a Woodruff key.

My limited experience with cars with one on the crank snout shows they are not wear items, but the car only had 90k miles on it before I pulled the crank pulley off.

[ghettosled]

how the heck does that key wear out? i did my first timing belt at 99k miles, and there was zero play with the key on mine...

[Vagisimo]

THE WOODRUFF KEY WEARS BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS NOT TOURQUED DOWN CORRECTLY WHEN THE TIMING BELT WAS CHANGED.

Sorry for yelling like that.

[500KCamry]

Originally Posted by Vagisimo

THE WOODRUFF KEY WEARS BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS NOT TOURQUED DOWN CORRECTLY WHEN THE TIMING BELT WAS CHANGED.

Sorry for yelling like that.

Now that you mention it (you twigged my failing memory), I was able to loosen the crank bolt easily.