Stuck bolt on Camshaft Pulley

[Funky Panda]

Changing the Cambelt on my Focus Mk2 before a trip to Le Mans next month and I'm stuck unable to undo the crankshaft bolt to get the pulley off. I've tried an impact wrench and a breaker bar with the pulley held firm but neither have worked. Not really sure what to try now, any advice would be gratefully received.

[sunbeam alpine]

Apologies if it's a stupid suggestion, but are you sure it has a normal thread? Some are left-hand thread so that they automatically tighten instead of loosen.

[brrapp]

Wish I had the same problem, my sons pulley bolt just worked it's way loose and fell out 6weeks after a timing chain change. Crossing fingers that the valves aren't knackered. It was supposed to be torqued up to 180 n and I thought I had but obviously not.

[Funky Panda]

sunbeam alpine said:

Apologies if it's a stupid suggestion, but are you sure it has a normal thread? Some are left-hand thread so that they automatically tighten instead of loosen.

Nothing mentioned in the Haynes manual, I'll have a look at the new one

[DuraAce]

Get a bigger breaker bar. I've had to use a 4 foot scaffolding pole on the odd occasion.

[steveo3002]

yeah chances are its not stuck you just need a big ol tool to shift it .....top spec impact gun and big compressor or a 3/4" bar with extender

[Funky Panda]

Chhers guys, I'll look into getting the car higher so I can use a bigger bar and get an extension on the pulley holder to jam it on the ground. Made a phone call to a more powerfully built friend.

[PeterBurgess]

If you have enough room, use a club hammer and a length of round bar and hit the bolt bl**dy hard, it may well shock the threads enough to allow you to undo it, try not to tap fingers or car!

Peter

[227bhp]

Crankshaft or camshaft ? You've mentioned both....

[paintman]

Just removed the crankshaft pulley from my 3.5 RRC. The bolt laughed at my 1/2" air impact wrench & was even more amused by the one I borrowed.
Sorted by locking the ring gear & using a breaker bar with an old BSA fork stanchion over the end - total length of about 4 feet.
(Fastening torque is listed as 190-210lbfft/257-285Nm.)

[E-bmw]

227bhp said:

Crankshaft or camshaft ? You've mentioned both....

No, he said "changing the cambelt" and "unable to undo crankshaft pulley bolt" simples.

[brrapp]

E-bmw said:

227bhp said:

Crankshaft or camshaft ? You've mentioned both....

No, he said "changing the cambelt" and "unable to undo crankshaft pulley bolt" simples.

TBH he did say 'camshaft pulley' in the thread title, but reading the OP, it's pretty obvious what he meant.

[Boosted LS1]

So, after all the confusion may I suggest the girl guides.

[Bennachie]

Er, why are you removing the crank pulley to change the cam belt? Surely removing cam pulley allows the belt to be slipped off the water pump pulley and the crank..........................

[S0 What]

Bennachie said:

Er, why are you removing the crank pulley to change the cam belt? Surely removing cam pulley allows the belt to be slipped off the water pump pulley and the crank..........................

never changed a cam belt then ?
i cant remember the last time i didn't have to remove a crank pully to get a timming belt off.


OP what engine? if it's a zetec they use a stretch bolt that needs replacing after removal, decent cambelt kits have one supplyed, i take it you have the locating pins ? do not use the crank pin to lock the crank! it's only there to align the crank NOT to lock it
TBH when i do these i just go borrow a VERY HD 3/4 inch drive air gun from the local tyre fitters down the road, they are a bh, also check the length of the new crank bolt as the lengths differ !
If i dont have the airgun avalable you can wedge the flywheel or use the starter motor method (google it, i dont use it personly), if non of these are viable try it with the car in reverse with somone stamping on the brakes (car on the floor obv), i prefer to lock the flywheel, i have a tool to do it but it requires the starter removal to use.

[Bennachie]

Yep. Not on a \focus

[Evoluzione]

E-bmw said:

227bhp said:

Crankshaft or camshaft ? You've mentioned both....

No, he said "changing the cambelt" and "unable to undo crankshaft pulley bolt" simples.

Read the title.

[E-bmw]

I did, the post is 100% clear what he is after help with though.

[kev b]

If you are doing this without a lift then you could try using a long extension bar and support it with an axle stand/block of wood, this gives you room to use a longer lever without the ground or bodywork in the way.

[Disco_Biscuit]

You need a flywheel locking tool laser 3575 on Amazon if I remember, then a breaker bar usually does the trick.