Thread: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt?

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  1. #1 How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GT Level Member pontiackid's Avatar
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    How to hold Harmonic Balancer still to Remove Crank Bolt? I have tried my Impact gun, heating it, liquid wrench and no will just will use a lond breaker bar. But the harmonic balancer/crank keep spining as I turn. Could I put the car into gear to prevent it from spining?

    I cannot do the starter trick where you brace a breaker bar on the frame and start the car as I have it torn down to a bare block.

    I'd like to do this w/o buying a special tool just to hold it still...

    Thanks All!

    -KT
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  2. #2 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sabrewings's Avatar
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    As long as you leave the spark plugs in, it will spin a little bit until the compression in one cylinder is too much and it won't move anymore. I braced it with nothing. It took a little while but eventually the impact took it out. It did take a big impact though, since they're on there very well from the factory.

    An alternative method would be vice grips or like a screw driver through the flywheel and using a breaker bar.
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  3. #3 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sabrewings View Post

    An alternative method would be vice grips or like a screw driver through the flywheel and using a breaker bar.
    you could, be careful though, out at the junkyard tearing down 3800's i usually put a 3/8" extension through one of the holes in the flywheel and let it hit the block. I use a big breaker bar on the crank bolt but BEWARE!! it almost always bends the flywheel. Obviously when im at the yard i could care less.

    Be careful.
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  4. #4 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GT Level Member pontiackid's Avatar
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    Engine is in the car with the heads and every thing off. Wouldn't the transmission have to be unbolted/off to get to the flywheel?

    (I am currently top-end swapping)
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  5. #5 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
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    no, there is an access cover you can see on the bottom, has two 10mm bolts that hold it on, take it off and you can see it. either have someone with a crowbar hold it in the notches of the flywheel or find another way without damaging the flywheel like i said.
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  6. #6 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sabrewings's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pontiackid View Post
    Engine is in the car with the heads and every thing off.
    That's your problem. The harmonic balancer should've been the first thing you did. You could always just build it back up and then impact it out once the heads are on. You need the cylinder compression to fight the impact.

    Otherwise you're left with trying to hold the flywheel with something.
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  7. #7 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
     

  8. #8 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GTP Level Member VinnieGTP's Avatar
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    I've never done the vice-grip method but thats a good idea. I always use a prybar in the teeth of the flywheel.
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  9. #9 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    club of used to own a gp 99prixgt's Avatar
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    harmonic balancer is a pita
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  10. #10 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GT Level Member pontiackid's Avatar
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    I looked under the car today and didn't see anything that resembled an acess cover for the flywheel. Any pics? Sorry and Thanks.
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  11. #11 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sabrewings's Avatar
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    The black cover at the top center of this picture. Held in with two bolts.

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  12. #12 Re: How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt? 
    GT Level Member pontiackid's Avatar
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    Thanks so much, I didn't figure that little thing to be a cover, thanks sooooo much. Now I can move on with this build. I'd thank you but, I don't think I have enough posts to do so!

    Chears and Thanks Again All!

    -KT
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