Sorry if this is a repost of something else, I am new to the forum, though i have looked through the other articles to look for something that would help, i haven't been able to find anything. If there is an answer to this problem already could you link it.

I am trying to replace the harmonic dampener on my 05 MCS, so far I have pinned the tensioner back and removed the wheel well shroud to get access to the pulley. When I try to remove the bolt however it will not loosen. I know I have to counter hold the pulley in some way to prevent it from spinning, but I still cannot get the bolt to loosen.

I have tried two different methods that I have seen recommended, the first, since it is a manual transmission, I put the car in gear and had a friend step on the brakes to hold the pulley and tried to loosen the bolt, but that didnt work, as the brake rotor just started slipping in the brakes.

Then I tried the process where you put bolts in two of the three holes used to remove the pulley, and then used those bolts to hold a brace for the pulley to prevent it from spinning, but when trying to loosen the center bolt, one of the other bolts just bent.

Is this normal? Is it supposed to require this much torque to remove this bolt, of is there some step I am missing or some other trick I can try to get this bolt loose.

 

Penetrating oil for 10 minutes then have a go. That worked for last stubborn one I came accross. If that fails try impact wrench.

Jeremy

 

1/2 inch Air impact wrench after spraying with the penetrating lube. I know on my old Honda I had to borrow a 3/4 inch impact and take the regulator off my 150 psi comprssor to get the crank pulley off.

 

Put the trans in 6th gear and try again. This will send less torque to the wheels when you try to break the bolt free and the brakes will be less likely to slip.

 

I managed to get it loose, all it needed was some penetrating oil and an impact wrench. Thanks for the help. I hope I never have to do this again.