Removing Harmonic Balancer

[nbudusmith]

I'm replacing the broken timing belt on our 97 Corolla. How do I keep the crankshaft from spinning when I try to remove the center bolt from the harmonic balancer? I tried a strap wrench, but I can't hold it tight enough to keep the balancer from spinning. Plus I'm afraid I may break the plastic timing mark tab off of the belt cover with the strap wrench.

Also, the bolts on my harmonic balancer puller do not fit the balancer on this engine. Anyone know the thread size for the puller holes on the balancer? Do I need a metric puller (or at least metric bolts)? I bought this puller many years ago when all my cars were non-metric.

Thanks for any info.

[speedy25]

Best bet for bolt removal is go to someone with the biggest meanest air gun you can find. Puller is not needed. those are for American cars with timing CHAINS.

-SP

[MrGiggles]

Ingersoll-Rand makes one hell of an impact. At school we have a 3/8 IR that is 2x more powerful than my 1/2 drive.

[InfInIty13X]

1: Place your socket/ratchet on the bolt ready to loosen it.
2: Place a lead pipe breaker bar on the ratchet so that it rests on the ground.
3: Bump the starter.
4: Profit

[96coroll]

Originally Posted by InfInIty13X

1: Place your socket/ratchet on the bolt ready to loosen it.
2: Place a lead pipe breaker bar on the ratchet so that it rests on the ground.
3: Bump the starter.
4: Profit

Haha ya that should work actually

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by speedy25

Best bet for bolt removal is go to someone with the biggest meanest air gun you can find. Puller is not needed. those are for American cars with timing CHAINS.

-SP

Not always true, sometimes the HB can get stuck on there fairly well with time/age/heat cycling.

Using the starter trick can be dangerous if something slips out of place you have a breaker bar flinging around your engine bay...

[kevdude]

Originally Posted by 96coroll

Haha ya that should work actually

It works every time...I've done it on all my vehicles. Just be sure it's wedged against something solid (like the pavement) and bump the starter. Then just use a little blue locktite on the threads of the bolt when putting it back on. Never had a problem....

[Flyboy27]

I tried the bumping the starter trick to get the bolt loose today, bumped it once, and now nothing, no lights, no starter, no nothing. What did I blow?




-

[MrGiggles]

Originally Posted by Flyboy27

I tried the bumping the starter trick to get the bolt loose today, bumped it once, and now nothing, no lights, no starter, no nothing. What did I blow?




-

Check the battery terminals first. My car was notorious for giving me a "click" when I tried to start it. Make sure they're clean and tight, and check the grounds on the engine block. If all else fails, check the big fuses and relays. Not sure on Toyota but Hondas have a main fuse that likes to act up.

[Flyboy27]

Checked the terminals and they looked OK, but when I put the leads back on and tightened them up everything worked fine, balancer bolt is now out-




-