Author Topic: Crank Pulley Bolt (Read 3939 times)

copeland10 · « **on:** July 08, 2008, 09:48:50 pm »

I'm trying to get the crank pulley off for inspection, it is a little wobblily, but I just can't seem to loosen the bolt off. Is it threaded in the regular way, counter clockwise loosens. Looking at some of the pics on this site it looks like it may be the opposite. I broke a socket tonight using a 2 ft breaker bar and some pipe. Can I use a 3/4 inch socket instead of 19mm or do I risk stripping the bolt? This is my first real crack at doing any major car repair and I have really benefited from the knowlege on this site. Once the crank is sorted out I will move on to the head.

Edit: I changed my search words and found the info I needed. This site is great.

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:12:13 pm »

hmmm that doesn't sound right to me.... i got my crank bolt off fairly easy (compared to what you're going through) perhaps someone used some loctite???

copeland10 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2008, 11:55:55 am »

Well, I can't seem to get the bolt off. I have bent my extension and am afraid of doing anymore damage. If I can't get it off is is safe to say the wobble is being caused by the balancer or a bent shaft? I'm going to soak it with more oil and beat on with a hammer and see if that will do it.

jimfoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:42:15 pm »

If it was locktited in place, you may have to heat it, which is why I usually don't use the stuff much on hard to get out bolts. A 3/4" is what I used on mine.

copeland10 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:11:32 pm »

The bolt finally gave up the fight after a little more oiling and hammering. There wasn't any loctite just 15 years of rust holding it on. Why I didn't use a hammer in the first place I don't know. The good news is the key way is perfect, not a hint of wear on the crank or sprocket. So the wobble is coming from else where. I have purchased a new balancer but other than that where else should I look for the source of my wobble? I am going to remove the head tonight and get it checked out. Any tips on that job? I'm following the Bentley's directions. Oil is still getting in the coolant even after the intercooler was changed. thanks for the responses. After sitting on this car for 2 years gas prices have finally motivated me to get it moving again.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:48:28 pm »

Only thing that I can think of is your crankshaft end may be bent. If you have access to a runout indicator I would do a runout check on the crankshaft end.

Greg

copeland10 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2008, 05:50:23 pm »

I was wondering if a bent crank was possible. Is a runout indicator a tool I could rent? I imagine it is specialized and therefore expensive. The wobble I had was only noticeable while the engine was idling. When I gave it some juice the wobble seemed to disappear. There is a retired mechanic in the area who may have some ideas and may be a tool, thanks for the suggestion.

Adam

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2008, 06:01:27 pm »

If you have a dial indicator in your toolbox that you use to set the timing you could likely rig a jig to use it to measure crank runout ?