crank balancer bolt...help!
crank balancer bolt...help! I have tried everything I can think of to get this damn bolt out so I can replace my cam, and I can't get the bolt out, I tried an impact, i have tried a 3 foot breaker bar, is it reverse thread or something or are they always this much of a PITA
Generally they are pretty tight. I would say that with the breaker bar you should have gotten it.. Keep trying. The thread is normal on the crank bolt. Lefty loosy righty tighty.
I have the engine on a stand and I was literally lifting the motor and stand nearly tipping it over with a breaker bar, guess I need a friend to stand on the engine stand.... thanks alot
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
I used a 3 foot bar with deep-well socket. An impact didn't work for me either.
With the stock balancer (with holes) I put a crescent wrench in one of the holes and let it anchor itself on the side of the block to keep it from spinning.
With the stock balancer (with holes) I put a crescent wrench in one of the holes and let it anchor itself on the side of the block to keep it from spinning.
They are a mother..After the install of my cam, My belts kept coming loose and off, I couldnt figure itout..till my balancer fell off oneday while workin on it..The guys that helped me didnt use locktite and the bolt came out, I know it was tight no question...but it camt loose somehow.. Some say dont use it because it makes it a PITA to get off or out but it can back itself off, Id jsut get an ARP replacement and Locktite on on..Im pretty sure they are done from the factory as well..
yeah I tried a breaker bar with a 3 foot cheater pipe, I am going to need a second set of hands this thing is crazy tight I just end up lifting the engine and I don't want to try and "push'. down its cold as **** here and I am worried about snapping part of my block off the way it bolts to the engine stand the "ears" the trans mounts to don't seem real strong
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Launching!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Walterboro SC
I had a similar problem. I couldn't get it off with an impact but didnt have a way to keep it from turning over (A4). Simple fix, I used a propane torch and heated the head of the bolt for a good while, then put the impact gun on it and it came right off. You don't want to reuse the old bolt anyways so don't worry about the heat messing it up.
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I had a similar problem. I couldn't get it off with an impact but didnt have a way to keep it from turning over (A4). Simple fix, I used a propane torch and heated the head of the bolt for a good while, then put the impact gun on it and it came right off. You don't want to reuse the old bolt anyways so don't worry about the heat messing it up.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
I should say...when I used the 3' bar, I was pushing down but had a support under the balancer such as a block of wood (mine was a snowmobile stand) or it may have very likely broke something or tipped the stand over. Also, I used a bar clamp to keep the socket from trying to tilt/slide off the bolt. It looked like quite the contraption...but...it worked well.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro SC
Just get it hot with a torch and it basically falls out. Seriously, I felt so stupid for trying all kinds of things when it came out so easily after I held the propane torch on it for a few mins.
Last edited by VeTTeMaNC486; Dec 20, 2009 at 10:20 PM.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Thats your problem, a stronger impact would be the best solution. I recently did this though and I bolted my flexplate to the back of the engine while it was on the stand, then I put the Kent Moore flywheel tool on it, then used an impact.
I bought some impact that was good to 420ftlbs and it still wouldnt budge it.I finally used a 4ft-5ft cheater bar and my feet on the garage wall and thought I broke something when it finally gave!
My snap on impact at work is good to 1200 ft lbs and I had to let it beat on the bolt for bout 30 secs. The typical at home impact isnt near is strong and that's where everyones problem lays.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro SC
The bolt on my trans am laughed at my 600 ft/lbs (rated at like 90 psi, I jacked it up to like 120... still nothing), that is until the propane torch had something to say about it.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Walterboro SC
They are a mother..After the install of my cam, My belts kept coming loose and off, I couldnt figure itout..till my balancer fell off oneday while workin on it..The guys that helped me didnt use locktite and the bolt came out, I know it was tight no question...but it camt loose somehow.. Some say dont use it because it makes it a PITA to get off or out but it can back itself off, Id jsut get an ARP replacement and Locktite on on..Im pretty sure they are done from the factory as well..
. Shitty thing is, in the c5 vette the steering rack has to be removed to get the bolt in and out. 
Simple job turns into an all day affair. 
your not suppose to reuse the stock bolt fyi
get an arp bolt
and they are torqued to like 180 ft lbs with locktite
i weigh 300 lbs and i had a torque wrench on it with the car in the air on the lift and i couldn't get more than 175 ft lbs on it.
but it came off easy with a breaker bar and a 4 foot pipe then a air ratchet
try the propane torch idea
get an arp bolt
and they are torqued to like 180 ft lbs with locktite
i weigh 300 lbs and i had a torque wrench on it with the car in the air on the lift and i couldn't get more than 175 ft lbs on it.
but it came off easy with a breaker bar and a 4 foot pipe then a air ratchet
try the propane torch idea
