What's a good way to keep flywheel still?

**allbaugh_04** · 03-08-2010, 12:57 PM

Doing my research for my cam swap. I got a lot of parts ordered etc.

So I was wondering whats a good easy way to keep that flywheel still when I'm removing the crank bolt, also, are these crank bolts a bear sometimes?

Should I spray some WD-40 er something on it over night?

**allbaugh_04** · 03-08-2010, 01:42 PM

I suppose i could use a hefty screw driver.

**bigrondownhiller** · 03-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Keeping the belts on until you get the bolt broken loose will help. Sears has a strap wrench that will help too.

**LSCyaL8R** · 03-08-2010, 01:53 PM

i'm assuming you have an A4? me thinks it would take an unhuman amount of torque to move that flywheel if you had the car in gear on an M6....... unless you need a new clutch

**allbaugh_04** · 03-08-2010, 02:13 PM

Yes, auto.

**ls1camino** · 03-08-2010, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by LSCyaL8R

i'm assuming you have an A4? me thinks it would take an unhuman amount of torque to move that flywheel if you had the car in gear on an M6....... unless you need a new clutch

Yeah, I just put it in 4th and used a 3 foot breaker bar

To the OP...WD40 on the bolt will work wonders on both the bolt and the pulley removal/installation.

**marksls1ta** · 03-08-2010, 05:45 PM

if you are changing belts you can wrap it around the pulley like a strap wrech and hold it that way. also they make a tool for holding the flywheel.

Mark

**importhater81** · 03-08-2010, 06:02 PM

Use an impact gun and you won't have to hold the flywheel....If you have access to an air compressor that is.

**allbaugh_04** · 03-08-2010, 06:43 PM

I plan on having an air compressor around. Maybe someone will let me borrow an impact gun.

I planned on using the compressor for holding up the valves. Just doing some homework. Seems like this might get a bit tough, but it'll be worth it.

**Hi-Po** · 03-08-2010, 06:48 PM

http://www.etoolcart.com/flywheelhol...j-42386-a.aspx

That should work for removal and install. Can always sell it afterwards.

**99LS1** · 03-09-2010, 08:45 AM

Used my buddies snap on impact and it spun it off like a charm

**JaycenK** · 03-11-2010, 12:51 PM

+3 or 4 on the impact. Just make sure you have the right size socket on it and that the socket is on the bolt right, before you pulll the triger.

**Hi-Po** · 03-11-2010, 01:06 PM

Sure you can use an impact to remove the balancer, but how you going to install it?

**allbaugh_04** · 03-11-2010, 01:34 PM

Well I got the breaker bar and 23mm socket, if i remember the size off the top of my head.

Shouldn't be an issue tightening it. Breaking it loose can be a a bit tough I hear.

**JaycenK** · 03-11-2010, 05:04 PM

engine wont turn as fast as the torque wrench lol. I just don't like turning the engine backwards.

**importhater81** · 03-12-2010, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

Well I got the breaker bar and 23mm socket, if i remember the size off the top of my head.

Shouldn't be an issue tightening it. Breaking it loose can be a a bit tough I hear.

It' a 24mm socket.

**importhater81** · 03-12-2010, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Hi-Po

Sure you can use an impact to remove the balancer, but how you going to install it?

IMHO,I really don't think the torque spec for the balancer bolt is that critical.Most of the time I use a 2 by 4 and a hammer to get the balancer started and then hit the bolt with the impact to bring it the rest of the way in.Have never had a problem doing it that way even though I know it's not textbook procedure.

**Mark98SS** · 03-13-2010, 07:02 AM

Important to use a new bolt when re-installing. The crank bolt is a "torque to yeild" design. It gets torqued to something like 30lbs & then tightened another 270 degrees rotation. I don't think I've ever made the whole 270, put a pipe on a breaker bar & give it all you can, will be fine then.

**0rion** · 03-17-2010, 07:03 PM

I used a couple of screwdrivers wedged into the flywheel.....just takes some engineering to get them in there right and tight enough but they'll hold. I have an impact but the problem is my impact only goes to like 150 ft/lbs I think and wasn't strong enough to break the bolt loose. Are you putting a stock bolt back in or ARP? I went with ARP and it gets some ungodly amount of torque applied to it to get the bolt back on there.....like 240 ft/lbs I think. I did get the wrench to click but I couldn't tell if it was the wrench clicking or one of my vertebrae.

**0rion** · 03-17-2010, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by importhater81

IMHO,I really don't think the torque spec for the balancer bolt is that critical.Most of the time I use a 2 by 4 and a hammer to get the balancer started and then hit the bolt with the impact to bring it the rest of the way in.Have never had a problem doing it that way even though I know it's not textbook procedure.

it is pretty critical...at least on these cars. I can't tell you how many " my balancer bolt fell out" threads I've read over the years. I've also read a few " I stripped the threads in my crank" posts too from pulling the pulley on with a bolt.

One of those things where it's best to err on the side of caution IMO. You may get away with it 99 out of 100 times but that 100th time can be a pain in the ass.