simbey1982 Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Hey all. I need to take off the main pulley on my subaru and I had a homemade tool that did the job but i cant find it. What do you guys use?? Is there a decently priced tool that will do the trick..let me know Thanks Cory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handtool Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Vice grip chain clamp. I use a piece of old alternator belt to protect the pulley. Works well on cam pulleys also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 I use one almost like this only it has a long bar handle, it can be bought at Harbor Freight for around 20.00 dollars. I think it is called chain wrench. You can hold it with one hand and break the nut with the other hand without any one their to help. I also use the belt as Handtool says only I wrap it and then duct tape it so it dont fall off. Vice grip chain clamp. I use a piece of old alternator belt to protect the pulley. Works well on cam pulleys also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimokalihi Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 $20 bucks for that exact one at autozone. I needed this when I replaced my snapped timing belt. You can "rent" it from autozone for $20 and if you don't bring it back it's yours and if you do you get all your money back. Autozone has got your back. I just bought mine. Screw bringing it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted May 26, 2006 Author Share Posted May 26, 2006 interesting...ill pick one up...the tool i had was much diffrent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 no tool necessary. you can put it in gear if it's a manual transmission or use the access hole in the bellhousing to get to the flexplate and hold it in place there if it's an automatic. i've done both many many times. an even quicker and dirty way is to let the socket hang on the crank bolt and bump the starter (be sure not to start the car). be sure there's something for the socket wrench to rest against, it will slam against it and knock the bolt out instantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastenova Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 no tool necessary. you can put it in gear if it's a manual transmission or use the access hole in the bellhousing to get to the flexplate and hold it in place there if it's an automatic. i've done both many many times. an even quicker and dirty way is to let the socket hang on the crank bolt and bump the starter (be sure not to start the car). be sure there's something for the socket wrench to rest against, it will slam against it and knock the bolt out instantly. No need to do the starter deal, I'd not risk it myself. But I'm overly cautious sometimes I've always just stuck a screwdriver in the flexplate or used a strap wrench. Lisle makes a nice one for $17 I think, plastic with a beefy yet soft plastic strap so you don't mess up your pulleys. I've used it for stuck oil filters, among other things =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 I've always just stuck a screwdriver in the flexplate be sure to use something strong. i prefer a ratchet extension. crank bolts can vary wildly in effort to break them loose and that effort can shear whatever you put in the flexplate, dropping the remainder down in the bellhousing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted May 27, 2006 Author Share Posted May 27, 2006 thanks for all the tips guys i will try them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickensheets Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 I 2nd the bell housing technique. I used a 12" craftsman prybar - very strong. Plus this way you'll have both hands free to wrestle with the bolt. Putting it back on this way is easier to accurately torque it back into place. rd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avk Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 So what's the word currently on the torque for the pulley bolt? Is it still 110 pound-feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svxpert Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 <<So what's the word currently on the torque for the pulley bolt? Is it still 110 pound-feet?>> tighten the crank pulley as tight as you can get it. don't worry, you won't strip it. just make sure its on as tight as you can get it so it doesn't come loose on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerFahrer Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 I've HAD to do the starter method several times, especially if it's on a newer car and the timing belt has never been done before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 Using something in the "flywheel" or "flexplate" seems to be the thing to do. I have a couple of ideas....im just dragging my feet cuz if the timing isnt off on this car im about ready to roll it in a lake =0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Dont use a flexplate. A cracked one will result in weird noises and result in your having to pull the engine or transmission to replace it. Starter trick is good. Vise grip sells a chain wrench that is great quality. Putting the car in gear and having somebody step on the brake works alot of the time. A punch thru the flywheel on a manual trans car works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Dont use a flexplate. A cracked one will result in weird noises and result in your having to pull the engine or transmission to replace it. Starter trick is good. Vise grip sells a chain wrench that is great quality. Putting the car in gear and having somebody step on the brake works alot of the time. A punch thru the flywheel on a manual trans car works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted May 31, 2006 Author Share Posted May 31, 2006 yeah i have a manual so im going to use a punch in the flywheel. Thanks as always for all the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathany Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Do the flex plate thing. I am not sure why anyone tries to hold the pulley, there is too much risk to damage it. Subaru actually makes a piece that fits into the flexplate just for this purpose but anything strong works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerFahrer Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 He doesn't have a flex plate. Starter method FTW! I actually had to do this on a girl's Honda a couple weeks ago. Air impact wouldn't even break that nut loose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 Here is what i ended up doing. I have a MT so it would probabally be diffrent on a AT. I noticed on the passenger side of the bell housing about half way down there was a screw hole. On further inspection i found it goes right to the Flywheel. I then took a piece of round stock and ground the end so it would fit between the teeth in the fly wheel. I cut the round stock so i could get a bolt behind it in the hole. Then i put the round stock in and tightened a bolt behind it. ROCK SOLID!!! came of with a breaker bar and some elbow grease Good luck to all:banana: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simbey1982 Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 BTW subaru actually has you use a tool that has a bar and holds the pulley via the holes in the center Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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