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crankshaft timing gear puller

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iknowless

Probationary Member
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Jun 21, 2010
Evans, Colorado
I am looking for a crankshaft timing sprocket/gear puller for a 420a engine to access the main seal. Has anyone ever taken one off? Know any special tool numbers? If not, does anyone have any good ideas how to fabricate something?

I was thinking of trying to clamp a metal holder around the gear, drilling some holes, then using a universal harmonic balancer puller and the appropriate sized nuts to pull it off! I dont have an option here, my gear is damaged, new one coming in the mail!

Thanks

EDIT:

Posted a picture of the gear. It moves the timing belt at the crankshaft, but maybe it's called oil pump gear, not sure.

I have already attempted the Autozone universal puller, shown (oops wrong URL). The bolts that threaded in broke off (they are only like 1/4 in bolts), so I suppose I could drill and tap new holes for bigger bolts, if someone thinks that might work. I think I can get a tap&dye kit from Autozone's tool loan program.

Also, like dented_coffee said, there is a Woodruff Key, maybe rusted on? Maybe some PB Blaster? Never tried the stuff before. @ Dented_Coffee: Have you had any luck with the torch method? Sounds like it might work, just wondering if you have done it before.
 
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gat a socket or a peice of pip big enough to fit over the crank's shaft and sit on top of the gear. tap with a hammer and add heat with a blow tourch if you want. to me it sounds like ## key-away is rusted in there.

can you get a picture?
 
I assume you're talking about the gear, not the pulley. So, technically, the oil pump gear.
Any timing gear sprocket puller will work, something like this:
AutoZone.com | Timing Gear Puller
They'll probably have ones that have 4 holes, rather than two which gives you a little more flexibility. Then you just need some bolts which match the holes on the gear. I'm pretty sure they're M6
Here's what mine looks like:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...iming-belt-camry-harmonic-balancer-puller.jpg
 
Not sure if there are Advance Auto's out there but they do a loaner tool program where you pay a fee rent the kit out and if you return it within 45 days you get your full deposit back (even if its damaged and the piss beat out of it)
 
That harmonic balancer puller isn't what you need. You need a timing gear puller, like I posted.
You'll also need those bolts that I posted, M6, IIRC, pretty long.
Spray the shit out of it with WD40, and then it'll come off pretty easily.
 
That harmonic balancer puller isn't what you need. You need a timing gear puller, like I posted.
You'll also need those bolts that I posted, M6, IIRC, pretty long.
Spray the shit out of it with WD40, and then it'll come off pretty easily.

I gave the timing gear pulley a try a few days ago, but it wasn't compatible (I have the 420a engine, not the 4G63).

I already drilled the hole out last time the bolt broke off in the gear. I am going to try the thread restorer kit with the universal puller with bigger bolts, will post if I have any success! If not we will have to come up with a more brilliant idea.
 
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I gave the timing gear pulley a try a few days ago, but it wasn't compatible (I have the 420a engine, not the 4G63). I already drilled the hole out last time the bolt broke off in the gear. I am going to try the thread restorer kit with the timing gear puller with bigger bolts, will post if I have any success! If not we will have to come up with a more brilliant idea.
Make sure and get a higher grade of bolts to, that should help you out some.
 
I gave the timing gear pulley a try a few days ago, but it wasn't compatible (I have the 420a engine, not the 4G63). I already drilled the hole out last time the bolt broke off in the gear. I am going to try the thread restorer kit with the timing gear puller with bigger bolts, will post if I have any success! If not we will have to come up with a more brilliant idea.


What the hell are you talking about?
There's no such thing as a "not compatible" timing gear puller. It has nothing to do with the 4g63 or the 420a. I've used the same one on every engine I've ever worked on.
That link that you posted to Autozone isn't a gear puller, it's a pulley puller.... they're different.
Look at the picture I posted, at the bottom of the first post I made in this thread, that's what it looks like, that's what you need.
If you have that and do the steps I listed for you, and get higher grade bolts as the poster above suggested, it'll work just fine. I've done it a million times.
If you can't get that to work, it's because your screwing something up.
 
If there is rust or corrosion heat may be the only way. Get the puller on it, snug it up, cook it with MAP gas and a good torch that throws a decent flame and if you don't get it red hot then you are wasting your time.
 
I assume you're talking about the gear, not the pulley. So, technically, the oil pump gear.
Any timing gear sprocket puller will work, something like this:
AutoZone.com | Timing Gear Puller
They'll probably have ones that have 4 holes, rather than two which gives you a little more flexibility. Then you just need some bolts which match the holes on the gear. I'm pretty sure they're M6
Here's what mine looks like:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...iming-belt-camry-harmonic-balancer-puller.jpg

It's been a while since I've done this, but I'm fairly certain the two bolt puller won't work because the timing belt sprocket has three holes. You'll need the one that has four slots. It's often called a "steering wheel puller."

Ryan's correct in that you'll need three long M6 bolts. If you drilled and tapped one of the holes in the sprocket, you'll obviously need whatever bolt matches the new thread.

There's no other way to do this... a pulley puller will not work.

EDIT: The harmonic balancer puller you posted above looks like the correct tool. I doubt it came with M6 bolts, though, so I think you probably forced the wrong size bolt into the holes. This timing belt sprocket is pretty much screwed now. You could try to torch it and pull it off without the puller, but I doubt it will work and you'll probably damage your front main seal. Your best bet is to use a pneumatic chisel and break it off. A new sprocket only costs about $20.
 

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What the hell are you talking about?
There's no such thing as a "not compatible" timing gear puller. It has nothing to do with the 4g63 or the 420a. I've used the same one on every engine I've ever worked on.
That link that you posted to Autozone isn't a gear puller, it's a pulley puller.... they're different.
Look at the picture I posted, at the bottom of the first post I made in this thread, that's what it looks like, that's what you need.
If you have that and do the steps I listed for you, and get higher grade bolts as the poster above suggested, it'll work just fine. I've done it a million times.
If you can't get that to work, it's because your screwing something up.

This puller is not compatible with my gear for the following reasons:

#1 - My gear has three threaded holes necessitating three bolts to pull it.
#2 - This universal puller is the EXACT puller that broke off in my gear when I used it the first time!!!

:nono:

VelocitàPaola;152242125 said:
It's been a while since I've done this, but I'm fairly certain the two bolt puller won't work because the timing belt sprocket has three holes. You'll need the one that has four slots. It's often called a "steering wheel puller."

Ryan's correct in that you'll need three long M6 bolts. If you drilled and tapped one of the holes in the sprocket, you'll obviously need whatever bolt matches the new thread.

EDIT: The harmonic balancer puller you posted above looks like the correct tool. I doubt it came with M6 bolts, though, so I think you probably forced the wrong size bolt into the holes. This timing belt sprocket is pretty much screwed now. You could try to torch it and pull it off without the puller, but I doubt it will work and you'll probably damage your front main seal. Your best bet is to use a pneumatic chisel and break it off. A new sprocket only costs about $20.

Great picture! The timing belt sprocket was already screwed. Unfortunately a bolt was caught between it and the engine block, stripped the belt in half, and broke a few teeth off before the cam stopped spinning. Peeked down the plug holes with pistons at BDC, no valve marks, so here's to hoping the belt didnt jump teeth! :pray:

New one coming in the mail any day now. I'm confident I can drill and tap a new hole. Cant wait until morning to give it another go

the last one i had to get off i striped the bolt holes and then got the air chisel out just don't hit the crank or oil pump. The new one was like $10 from the dodge dealership just order it for a neon.

Neon, huh? Cool. I thought it the 420 was only Laser, Eclipse, & Talon. Dont have an air chisel, though it sounds like I have a good reason to go pick one up tomorrow hahaha.
 
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This puller is not compatible with my gear for the following reasons:

#1 - My gear has three threaded holes necessitating three bolts to pull it.
#2 - This universal puller is the EXACT puller that broke off in my gear when I used it the first time!!!

:nono:
I told you that the puller (in your first link) wouldn't work. I linked you to what you needed. You never said that you already had tried using the puller that I had linked you to. I only know what you tell me.

Anyway, to try and help you.... I actually only used two bolts when pulling mine. Like I said, I sprayed the shit out of it with PB, but it did come off relatively easily.
 
Yup that was my fault for posting the wrong link, and not being clear. Here's my harmonic puller/gear puller kit. (

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Ok, so after drilling and tapping the hole, I was able to thread a new bolt where the previous bolt had broken off. The M6 bolts fit BEAUTIFULLY, as expected, but the bolt heads slipped right through the gear puller! (nothing a few washers couldn't fix) Had my wife step on the brakes in 5th gear, and PRESTO. It came right off, soaked with PB Blaster. Thanks to everyone for the good advice

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Still, a couple more questions. If the main seal is not leaking, should I bother replacing it? I am more worried the new seal would leak where the old one didnt. Also, does anyone use blue/red thread locker on bolts inside the timing belt cover (like the small bolts for the idler and tensioner pulleys, brackets)? I cant stand the thought of one wiggling loose again, even if it's torqued correctly.

EDIT: Also, I cant find the woodruff key. I see the slots on the crankshaft and the gear, but the key is nowhere to be found. I dont believe the gear will turn properly without it. Any thoughts?
 

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If it's not leaking then there is no real reason to replace it. I, personally, probably would replace it anyway for nothing more than having the feeling of getting something accomplished. :)

The new timing sprocket will probably come with a new woodruff key.
 
I bought a new sprocket from a Dodge dealership in the past and I don't think it came with a new key. The key has its own part number: M06035473. They're about two dollars from the dealership.
 
Peculiar. I've gotten woddruff keys with most parts that require them, and on every 4g63 harmonic dampener I've ever purchased, even though they don't use a woddruff key. Lamepants.

Get a new key.
 
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