From: Len on
To change the timing belt. I've always done it with an impact wrench.
Now I've outsmarted myself. The wrench can't take it off. The book
says there's an access to the torque converter to jam a screwdriver.
Damned if I can find it. What I see is a thin metal plate which seems
to be between the engine and transmission. Is there access? I have
the '97 Camry 4 banger.
From: Daniel on
Len wrote:
> To change the timing belt. I've always done it with an impact wrench.
> Now I've outsmarted myself. The wrench can't take it off.
===
You just need a more powerful impact wrench.
It's only supposed to be tightened to 80 ft. lbs. Chances are the last
mechanic over tightened it.
Easiest way is to take it to a shop, have them loosen it, re tighten
without over tightening and give it back to you.
Should be an inexpensive and quick procedure, mostly just charge to
put it on the lift.
Some have also reported success by using a breaker bar wedged securely
against the frame or ground, pull a fuse to prevent starting, then
briefly touch the starter.
Also best if you can calm down prior to continuing work.

From: Kurt on
Daniel wrote:
> Len wrote:
>> To change the timing belt. I've always done it with an impact wrench.
>> Now I've outsmarted myself. The wrench can't take it off.
> ===
> You just need a more powerful impact wrench.
> It's only supposed to be tightened to 80 ft. lbs. Chances are the last
> mechanic over tightened it.

Does the pulley have any holes or slots? I hold the pulley on my '83
with a couple of bolts through a metal bar. That pulley has spokes, so
I just jam the bolts into the spokes. The metal bar has a hole drilled
through for the crank bolt socket.

I also second that "more powerful" impact wrench idea. My holder bar
failed once on an MR2 and it took a 3/4" 750 ft. lb. impact wrench
to remove it. It was interesting, a smaller impact wrench spun
the whole engine. The big dude backed out the bolt without moving the
crank at all.
From: Herbert.Kocks on
On Mar 12, 5:14 pm, Len <1...(a)2.com> wrote:
> To change the timing belt. I've always done it with an impact wrench.
> Now I've outsmarted myself. The wrench can't take it off. The book
> says there's an access to the torque converter to jam a screwdriver.
> Damned if I can find it. What I see is a thin metal plate which seems
> to be between the engine and transmission. Is there access? I have
> the '97 Camry 4 banger.

My solution requires some prep, but you'll have a wonderful
tool that will last forever: Buy ~20" of 2" black iron pipe.
In one end cut two notches sufficiently large for the heads
of aux. bolts that screw into the crankshaft pulley. Cut two
plastic or plywood disks, outside diameter just under 2" and
inside diameter slightly larger than your 1/2" socket extensions.
Slide the extension into the two separated disks, and the disks
into the 2" pipe. Position the socket on the crankshaft bolt,
centering the whole contraption, and slide the notches over the two
aux. bolts.

With a pipe wrench on the pipe, the crankshaft cannot turn
backwards and there's no unbalanced stress to break anything.
Now you can remove the bolt safely with a breaker bar.

H.K.

From: johngdole on
Ditto here, except I used scrap (but solid) wood. Easier to work with
and drill the socket hole. Used 3/8" SAE grade 8 bolts through the
crank pulley spokes. Looked like a modified cam pulley holder. Maybe a
generic cam holder would work, anyone tried it?

In my experience, the break-free torque on the 4cyl is about the same
as a wheel lug nut (spec'ed tightening at ~80 lb/ft). Nothing to it.
But if you live in the salt belt and the bolt seized on there over the
years it may be a different story.

The holder allows you to tighten the crank bolt to the proper spec
afterwards. There are horror stories on the V6 about improperly
tightened crank pulley. Then again the 4cyl may be more forgiving.
Dunno because I tightened it with a $14.99 Harbor Freight 1/2" torque
wrench to 80 lb/ft. ;)


On Mar 13, 11:57 am, Herbert.Ko...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> On Mar 12, 5:14 pm, Len <1...(a)2.com> wrote:
>
> > To change the timing belt. I've always done it with an impact wrench.
> > Now I've outsmarted myself. The wrench can't take it off. The book
> > says there's an access to the torque converter to jam a screwdriver.
> > Damned if I can find it. What I see is a thin metal plate which seems
> > to be between the engine and transmission. Is there access? I have
> > the '97 Camry 4 banger.
>
> My solution requires some prep, but you'll have a wonderful
> tool that will last forever: Buy ~20" of 2" black iron pipe.
> In one end cut two notches sufficiently large for the heads
> of aux. bolts that screw into the crankshaft pulley. Cut two
> plastic or plywood disks, outside diameter just under 2" and
> inside diameter slightly larger than your 1/2" socket extensions.
> Slide the extension into the two separated disks, and the disks
> into the 2" pipe. Position the socket on the crankshaft bolt,
> centering the whole contraption, and slide the notches over the two
> aux. bolts.
>
> With a pipe wrench on the pipe, the crankshaft cannot turn
> backwards and there's no unbalanced stress to break anything.
> Now you can remove the bolt safely with a breaker bar.
>
> H.K.