Camshaft Sprocket removal with Crowbar

[Telltell]

Hey guys. I'm trying to remove the camshaft sprockets on my 96 n/t.

Timing Belt VFAQ says I can do with without the special tool and hold the sprockets in place with a crowbar instead (while the retaining bolt is being removed).

Anyone done this before? Can anyone offer any further details on how?

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

[Rob10_99]

Get the tool, or use something other than metal unless your sure you know wtf your doing.
The tool grips the inside eccentric and twists it creating tension, quite a bit compared to a crowbar and bad geometry that's required to achieve the same result.
You may be able to reproduce the effect of the tool with two drill bits/allen wrenches and some Mcguiverness.

The tool, whichever one you get, is well worth the hassle.

 

[boostd_mitsu]

Try holding the cam gears together with a pair of vice grips, just be careful not to put too much pressure on them. Just enough to get the bolts loose. I have done it that way and it worked for me. Just be cautious and careful

 

[falcon8r]

It is possible to use the old timing belt and some vise-grips to get a grip on the pulley. You pinch the belt around the pulley and wedge the whe mess into the other cam. That way you will not mar any of the pulley surfaces if you look while you do it. The belt will stretch some so don't worry. Tres....

 

[BMP Racing]

I would remove the valve cover and hold the cams with a wrench.

Brad

 

[dsmloverguy90]

if you have a dead blow hammer, you could LIGHTLY tap around the gear until it came off.

 

[Telltell]

Hey guys, thank you for all your suggestions. I've just done it. Here is how i did it, and it worked (just another suggestion for any future views):

Both camshafts sprockets have a bolts (for rear timing belt cover) behind them that you can get to through the holes in the camshaft sprockets themselves (through the spokes). For the camshaft sprocket at the front side of the car, use this bolt. Put a socket on it, and then something else on the side as a spacer so that it hits one of the camshaft sprocket's spokes. This will immobilize the sprocket and you can turn the retaining bolt.

For the other camshaft sprocket: What i did was hold it with a crow bar. But since i couldn't hold it myself, what i did was chose a camshaft sprocket spoke that is horizontal, I immobilized it with the crowbar vertically, so that it hit the horizontal camshaft sprocket spoke. I held the crowbar from below, with a jack. This way it wont move.

OK guys, there are other ideas for any future viewers.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions!