Need help removing harmonic balancer bolt on l99

[DREV LSX]

Harbor Frieight sells the Central Pneumatics 3/4" impact wrench. $99.00 Best kept secret in the tool world. This thing can knock out ANY stubborn dampener bolt!!!

[grocerygetter]

you don't need to use heat...actually not smart considering the seal.
impact cranked up and a 3/4" long handled wrench up through opening on torqueconverter shield/inspect plate. We used an impact that rips off about 500lbft at 100psi...with the compressor on 150. Worked like a champ.
Retorqing will take two people, one one a 18-24" 1/2" drive breakover on the crank bolt and one holding that same wrench through the torque converter service plate window as I mentioned before. Two 240lb guys pushing against each other will work. LOL
Remember, use the install tool to put the pulley on. Use the original crank pulley bolt to full torque than take it back out. Finally install new bolt and torque.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by camslambam

opened up the hole under bell housing.
jammed crowbar in.
problem solved.

This, and a little heat helps to release the Loctite you only need to go to 250 degrees F.

Ted.

[grocerygetter]

yeah...250 deg heat...not torch on a O2 sensor heat. LOL

[Kilo-9]

I used a heat gun and an impact wrench to break mine loose...worked like a charm.

[Slowhawk]

torche the bolt and it will come out pretty easilly. Just keep the heat on the bolt so it doesn't affect the seal behind the pulley.

We use the impact gun with no problems. You can easilly use an impact to put it back on ect - if you know what your doing.

[Tristahn]

Thanks to all who posted on this topic as the bolt is indeed quite a challenge. The Magnuson install guide is correct, however they need to specify the type of impact and the air supply. I picked up a Snap On MG725 this morning off Craigslist for $200. Hooked it of to my 25G compressor and set it to 100 PSI. It knocked at it for while but at 1,190 ft lbs of break away torque the bolt didn't stand a chance. Why this is the best method is that the quick knocks are powerful but are not long-lasting enough to get past the static friction of the engine components and get the internals rotating.

With that being said, I did suffer the following: I tried my wimpy Home Depot brand impact (350 ft lbs). I went after it with a whopper breaker bar but kept spinning the crank. I attempted to chain-up my harmonic but didn't feel comfortable when I saw the harmonic getting torqued and the chain digging into other engine components. I even went to Harbor Freight and bought the $90 1,000 ft lbs rated heavy duty one they sell. What they don't advertise is that this model is not set up for 1/4 connects and normal hoses. I was not about to go through all that for a stupid bolt plus the thing weighs a ton and is almost too big to fit in there against the radiator.

Final comment - When you apply the 140 degrees of torque angle on install you will again spin the crank, but with much less force. On this rotation I used a ratcheting strap to hold the balancer to the frame.

Best wishes and thanks for sharing your tips guys.

[hammdo]

Flywheel holder is best. That is what I used and eBay had one for $45.removed the started and no problems...

-Don

[cc-rider]

Originally Posted by AngelSpeedFreak

I went out and bought a new 750ft/lb impact and that wouldn't budge mine... I ended up getting a large chain and chaining the harmonic ballancer pulley to the frame. turned the crank with a breaker bar until the chain was snug then used a 4ft breaker bar to get it off.

This was the worst part of my install. took me about a day to get that bolt off, then the rest was a piece of cake...

good luck

Yep. This is how I did it too. But I didn't use a chain, just a little ratchet strap. Just simply hook the balancer to the somewhere on the frame and that will immobilize it. Crank away. Get yourself a big pipe that will fit over your wrench and turn it into a breaker bar.