Is it possible to take off the Harmonic Balancer pulley without a flexplate?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
Is it possible to take off the Harmonic Balancer pulley without a flexplate? i have a 2002 LM7 5.3 I'm tearing down and getting ready to send to the machine shop the only thing is I cant get the harmonic balancer pulley bolt off because I cant hold the crankshaft still. Is there any way to get the pulley off without having a flexplate? I'm trying to skip on buying something that will only be used once
I have used tools such as a flexible plumber's clamp and I have run a few bolts into the back of the crankshaft and used a crowbar across them for leverage to hold the crank. Also, a bit of heat on the bolt will help release the loctite. It can be done, just get creative.
Like keno mentioned, a few bolts in the back of the crank with a bar in the middle so that it locks into the ground or something works nicely. Use an impact gun will also help.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
have used tools such as a flexible plumber's clamp and I have run a few bolts into the back of the crankshaft and used a crowbar across them for leverage to hold the crank. Also, a bit of heat on the bolt will help release the loctite. It can be done, just get creative.
I'm going to try to use both those methods. I tried prying a wood 2x4 inbetween the engine stand and the rear cover and tried to turn it off but I ended up breaking the bolt that was in the crank. ill give it a go when I'm off work thanks a lot guys
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
I trimmed my bolt, put it back into the crank, then seated the center bolt of the puller on the head while I torqued on it. The crankshaft will not turn if everything is set right.
There is some guy on YouTube with a video showing the method.
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
But did you trim your balancer bolt? You have to remove the balancer bolt and cut off the flanged section to decrease the diameter so it will pull through the puller tool. I used a grinder to do mine. It was a pita but it worked.
I trimmed my bolt, put it back into the crank, then seated the center bolt of the puller on the head while I torqued on it. The crankshaft will not turn if everything is set right.
There is some guy on YouTube with a video showing the method.
I trimmed my bolt, put it back into the crank, then seated the center bolt of the puller on the head while I torqued on it. The crankshaft will not turn if everything is set right.
There is some guy on YouTube with a video showing the method.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
But did you trim your balancer bolt? You have to remove the balancer bolt and cut off the flanged section to decrease the diameter so it will pull through the puller tool. I used a grinder to do mine. It was a pita but it worked.
I trimmed my bolt, put it back into the crank, then seated the center bolt of the puller on the head while I torqued on it. The crankshaft will not turn if everything is set right.
There is some guy on YouTube with a video showing the method.
I trimmed my bolt, put it back into the crank, then seated the center bolt of the puller on the head while I torqued on it. The crankshaft will not turn if everything is set right.
There is some guy on YouTube with a video showing the method.
Depending on what 3 jaw puller you are using, some have the end of the driving screw as flat, others have it at a point. If yours has a point on the end, I reccomend that you put a shallow drilled center. This will make sure that the driving screw does not want to walk out of the center of the bolt and will give an even pulling force. If you can throw the bolt on a lathe you can do that in two seconds, if not, just take the bolt head corners and draw lines across the face to find the center.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
I used a pneumatic impact gun and just held it down on there for probably 15 to 20 seconds before it actually came loose. The crank never moved on me. Also, somebody makes an LSx specific puller that has a really long center bolt so that you don't have to cut your crank bolt. Hope you got it all apart successfully.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Van Nuys, CA
I used a pneumatic impact gun and just held it down on there for probably 15 to 20 seconds before it actually came loose. The crank never moved on me. Also, somebody makes an LSx specific puller that has a really long center bolt so that you don't have to cut your crank bolt. Hope you got it all apart successfully.
