Removing Balance shafts with engine in car

[Nos~4G63]

I will be replacing my oil pump in the next couple weeks and I thought this would be a great opportunity to pull the balance shafts. I have no problem with purchasing the eliminator kit but my problem is I do not want to pull the motor. Is it possible remove the shafts if I unbolt the driver side motor mounts and lower the engine? Or is their some insane way you can pull them with the engine still bolted in?
Thanx

 

[steve]

You can remove the lower shaft by just removing the drivers side mount but to pull the upper shaft you have to lower the engine a lot more that the mount will allow.

You can either drop the cross members to get the engine low enough or leave the upper shaft in but disconnected after you pull the lower and replace it with the stub.

Steve

 

[Nos~4G63]

The upper shaft can remain in without damaging anything?

 

[steve]

It serves to block the oil passages that you would have blocked with the new bearings.

As long as it's disconnected from spinning and doesn't flop around it's fine like that.
Remember to reattach the bushing and sprocket to it when you put the front cover back on.

If your upper balance belt is still good don't remove it until you loosen the nut holding the sprocket on. It's much easier to undo the nut with the belt on that try and hold the sprocket to get it loose without the belt.

Steve