Getting Flywheel bolts off without turning the engine

[burntheblobs]

Exactly what the title states. I plan on doing my rear main seal and am wondering how I am suppose to get my flywheel bolts off without just turning the engine without air tools.

 

[redeclipse7782]

Put a half inch breaker bar in the harmonic balance bolt on the other side of the crank and have someone hold it, or position it so it cant spin.

 

[dnhieu]

impack wrench...(however you spell it)

 

[project_tsi]

Put a half inch breaker bar in the harmonic balance bolt on the other side of the crank and have someone hold it, or position it so it cant spin.

This is probably your best bet. Have someone hold the 1/2" breaker bar in the crank pulley bolt. Then you, use another breaker bar and break loose the flywheel bolts.

impack wrench...(however you spell it)

Unless you've got a super bad ass impact driver, then its not going to work. None of the impact drivers I've ever used has been powerful enough to remove a flywheel bolt, but I have cheap tools.

 

[Dream On]

Put a half inch breaker bar in the harmonic balance bolt on the other side of the crank and have someone hold it, or position it so it cant spin.

Exactly what I did. Worked for me. Careful with the thin heads on the flywheel bolts, pretty easy to round off.

 

[steve-o_95_GST]

Ive used both methods, I prefer the impact wrench (snap-on) it takes them out with zero work. Do the breaker bar in the crank bolt and use a torque wrench to reinstall them. Also DONT forget the locktite

 

[spinz4]

Yes, air compressor and impact wrench ftw. The other way can be costly with inexperience. Not to just the car but you or your friend . Then your next thread will be how do I get this damn crank pulley bolt out to do the timing belt. (if you have balance shafts)

 

[burntheblobs]

Yes, air compressor and impact wrench ftw. The other way can be costly with inexperience. Not to just the car but you or your friend . Then your next thread will be how do I get this damn crank pulley bolt out to do the timing belt. (if you have balance shafts)

Balance shafts removed here, plus I just replaced all the gaskets/seals on the front cover so I think I'm pretty set in that department. Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[MrPikolo]

Unless you've got a super bad ass impact driver, then its not going to work. None of the impact drivers I've ever used has been powerful enough to remove a flywheel bolt, but I have cheap tools.

A good 1/2" impact gun will work. Something like an I.R. or snapon.

 

[screamineagle]

you'll think this is crazy but it works....

pull a spark plug out and find some good rope that wont fray. Feed the rope into the cylinder till no more fits in and then turn the motor till it locks. The engine is locked in place and now just stand on the that breaker bar and break them free. Then pull the string back out once finished.

Used it plenty of times, works like a charm.

 

[Defiant]

Oh, lookit.

Exactly what the title states. I plan on doing my rear main seal and am wondering how I am suppose to get my flywheel bolts off without just turning the engine without air tools.

 

[brisvr4]

What about this... worked well enough for me to get them off

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( image borrowed from vfaq ) Full write up there!

Tim

 

[FORMONTOYA]

I just went to Lowe's and purchased a 2 foot piece of 13/16 unistrut with holes in it http://www.unistrut.com/about/index.php?P=po_mf , combined with a longer tranny bolt (don't remember the exact size x ~4" long) and a pressure plate bolt. Bolt it together as shown in the VFAQ so the flywheel doesn't move. Used the same "rig" installing the flywheel. Total cost = ~$3.

 

[daren_p]

What about this... worked well enough for me to get them off

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( image borrowed from vfaq ) Full write up there!

Tim

I used this same method, just quickley fabbed up a metal bracket, bolted it up like shown & worked like a charm

 

[fstrmnky]

The first time i did was with the engine out the car & after a while i got smart(er) took the engine to the alignment shop i use and they buzzed the bolts out in about 30 seconds.

You question makes me think the engine is in the car and i've been in that situation before too. After struggling with my wrench slipping of the short heads for a while i bought a $50ish (on special) electric impact wrench from Harbor Freight which worked fine. Some people would use the tool and then return it but that is too dishonest for me. Besides it has come in handy many times since - often to lend to friends in exchange for beer or free food so it's paid for itself by now!

good luck


(the surest way to find a typo is to hit "send" or "post". Edited to fix a couple typos etc)

 

[darren0828]

There are power IMPACT WRENCH, I just rebuild whole engine include install a forge crank and have no problem using it.

if you not going to get air tool, i suggest you get a power impact wrench.
so far save me lots of time and able to work alone ( dont need anyone to help me).

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45252

p.s. if you are not in hurry, wait till they have sale. i got this for $30

 

[96gsdsm]

I just gave a quick hard tug on a torque wrench to break the bolts loose one by one. The motor didn't spin at all. I wouldn't even think of tightening them this way though.

I do however have 9.0:1 compression pistons which probably aided me in not spinning the motor.... and I own a very long torque wrench haha.

It took all of like 5 minutes to get that SOB off.

Good idea with the bracket guys I know what I'm using when I re-torque.

 

[bertrenolds]

I know this is really old but has anyone had problems bolting a bracket from the engine to the flywheel and stripping bolts out of the motor since it's aluminum? This would probably be the easyiest way next to the rope trick which I might consider.

 

[banishedmunk]

The motor Is not aluminum it is Cast iron.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Make yourself a brace pictured above. Works awesomely.

 

[doggietom]

impact gun my I.R takes it off like butter hitting a warm pan

 

[Slow91Laser]

Put a half inch breaker bar in the harmonic balance bolt on the other side of the crank and have someone hold it, or position it so it cant spin.

This!

Worked great for me!

 

[turboglenn]

I just gave a quick hard tug on a torque wrench to break the bolts loose one by one. The motor didn't spin at all. I wouldn't even think of tightening them this way though.

I do however have 9.0:1 compression pistons which probably aided me in not spinning the motor.... and I own a very long torque wrench haha.

It took all of like 5 minutes to get that SOB off.

Good idea with the bracket guys I know what I'm using when I re-torque.

LItte FYI, most torque wrenches (at least the good ones) specifically tell you to never use them for breaking bolts loose, and also to never use jerking/hard sudden forces while using them. It will throw off the tool's accuracy, and it relaly will it's not just something they're making up.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

LItte FYI, most torque wrenches (at least the good ones) specifically tell you to never use them for breaking bolts loose, and also to never use jerking/hard sudden forces while using them. It will throw off the tool's accuracy, and it relaly will it's not just something they're making up.

This is good advice and not enough people follow it. I have friends who break tons of bolts loose with torque wrenches.

Not only does it throw off the tools accuracy, no one warranties torque wrenches so it would be in your best interest to follow this advice.