Crank Bolt -- Looking for words of wisdom...

[trainguy1989]

I have searched on the crank bolt removal topics and found many good ideas and have tried alot of them. I am having a **** of a time trying to get my crank bolt out. I have used a breaker bar with a pipe over it for leverage with the the car in 5th gear and brakes applied, no success. I have tried the starter bump method with no success and during the process the starter took a crap. I went out and bought a new starter and installed it and tried again. The bolt still won't break free. I also have my battery fully charged up when attempting this. I also put the beaker bar a couple of inches above the subframe to give the starter more momentum. I am about out of ideas, do you guys have any words of wisdom?

Thanks!!

 

[LJRuddy]

Soak it in some PB Blaster several times in the next day or so and then try the starter bump method again.

 

[Phoenix]

Got access to a impact gun? Air or electric?

 

[mrecoolgar]

Connect a running vehicles battery to your battery.
Idle up the running car when doing the bump starter method.

 

[hawkeye18]

 

[jayro]

Good advice so far. I would soak it in the PB Blaster over the next couple of days and then try the starter bump. I had to charge my battery fully and also put a jump starter on it. I then had a helper put pressure on my 1/2" ratcher with the handle of a hammer to make sure it didnt come off. After 2-3 bump with the ratcher a little above the subframe it came off. If this all fails, then use a hole saw to cut off the shoulder of the bolt and find another crank bolt for reassembly.

 

[pjtoledo]

3/4" drive tools seem to work better than 1/2" stuff. absolutely no flex in a 3/4 drive breakerbar or extension.


Perry

 

[93rev2sev]

QFT. If the starter bump doesn't work, there isn't much left but to drill it off. Once the large collar is gone, you'll probably be able to twist the rest of the bolt out with your fingers.

 

[91PDXmocha]

If it wont starter bump
1. PB blaster
2. 1/2in snap-on cordless impact

Done lots of nasty crank bolts with it.

 

[trainguy1989]

I have an 1/2 electric impact that I tried to use, but it too would not break the bolt loose.

Thanks for all the advice guys!!

 

[rktmn]

Use a propane gas torch to heat the bolt as much as possible without anything. This will cause the bolt to expand along with its surroundings. Then take some ice and apply it directly to the bolt. As the bolt cools, this will cause the bolt to shrink faster that its surroundings, and will release its grip.

Timing is important, you need to keep a temperature difference between the bolt and whatever it is attached to.

This method has neve failed me.

Good luck.

Jose

 

[SHOtime2511]

1/2" Harbor Freight earthquake gun.
I have yet to find a bolt that won.

 

[Gez89SHO]

An air impact gun will do it. I've seen a badly stripped crank bolt (mine) get loosened by an impact gun.
I wouldn't get a torch on the crank bolt, remember the crank pulley has a rubber part- you don't want to melt or weaken that.

 

[hawkeye18]

In lieu of ice, a can of compressed air held upside down works wonders. We got a temp sensor down to -53° with one of those once.

 

[notbange]

Sometimes you need a GOOD air powered impact. I have a very nice ingersol rand 2135ti impact at work. I used an electric impact to take my crank bolt on and off at home, and when I got to work I made sure it was tight with the 2135. When I had to take the bolt back off because the harmonic balancer had separated, the electric impact could not budge what the air impact had tightened. Had to borrow an air compressor and bring my work gun home to break it free.

 

[itwonder]

Breaker bars flex too much. Try a lifetime guarantee ratchet with starter bump, 3-4" above subframe. Six point socket.

Next alternative is call a mobile truck tire change rig to your house and have them get it out with their 1" impact. Most home compressors / hoses don't have enough CFM capacity.

Next alternative, built tool to fit holes in pulley to hold it from turning, I recall member OffRoadSho has built them. Then use long extension through fender well so you can put 6' pipe over breaker bar. Takes one person to turn, one to steady. Some people remove starter and jam flywheel to hold crank from turning but tool on pulley is better.

Next alternative is to cut ****** from bolt with hole with hole saw, and it will come out easily. Then try to find new bolt from WTB section here.

 

[zach44102]

Use a propane gas torch to heat the bolt as much as possible without anything. This will cause the bolt to expand along with its surroundings. Then take some ice and apply it directly to the bolt. As the bolt cools, this will cause the bolt to shrink faster that its surroundings, and will release its grip.

Timing is important, you need to keep a temperature difference between the bolt and whatever it is attached to.

This method has neve failed me.

Good luck.

Jose

Sorry to bump this thread but i have been having issues removing my crank bolt, I tried the starter bump, breaker bar, torch, 1/2 air impact and none of them worked.... This method above worked on the first try!

 

[AREA 91]

I'm not a fan of using heat in that area. Lots of things to melt.

 

[boat]

Whats going on with your sho? I thought you just got it running? Or is this for a different one?

Sorry to bump this thread but i have been having issues removing my crank bolt, I tried the starter bump, breaker bar, torch, 1/2 air impact and none of them worked.... This method above worked on the first try!

 

[zach44102]

Whats going on with your sho? I thought you just got it running? Or is this for a different one?

no its the same one, the cps took a shit on me the day before the track day.. Trying to figure out wether it got leaked on or its just a faulty cps.