Tried to take bolts off timing cover and they are spinning. The metal in the back cover has broke lose. Any ideas how to get the covers off without breaking something.

thanks

Mike

spray them down good with PB blaster or something else. then try to punch them out from behind. use a long punch or something similar...some screwdrivers will work. gently tap them out with a hammer. they will push out, still threaded onto the screw. gently prying between the covers around both sides of the bolt will also extract it but at the risk of damaging the covers. some that you can't get to from behind will have to be addressed this way.

 

or break them off and run without covers. not trying to start that debate all over again, just letting you know that's an option in case you didn't.

Yes if they spin, carefuly pry them out. I put them back in and added some glue. It worked for a while. Just make sure you do not tighten them too hard when reassemble. Some guys leave the covers off, but I still put them back on.

 

Sam

good point, when you reassemble them smear the threads with antiseize lubricant and don't tigthen them much at all. often requires vice grips to unthread the screw from the insert once you have it apart. otherwise you'll gouge it all up.

My timing belt covers are held on by zip ties now since most the threads came loose. Zip ties work pretty good

 

-Brian

ok thanks for all the advice. It got me thinking and used my air ratchet till they spun real easy then used my electric drill will a socket and spun them till they got hot and came right out. Think i will use a longer bolt with washers and self locking nut.

Thanks to all

Mike:grin: