So we could never get the crank bolt off to change the timing belt. We've broke a 1/2" extension and a few other things trying to loosen the damn thing. It was on TIGHT. The secret is this: take it to an independant mechanic. They will put it on a lift, hold the flywheel still and use a cheater bar and break it loose for you. Then have them snug it up tight enough to get you home then you can crank it right off with no problems. Hell, even the mechanic broke a socket today trying to get it loose. They finally got it. I did this today and I had the timing belt off before the engine cooled off. I believe the original belt was on there and didn't look terrible considering it had almost 140K on it. Just a little of FYI for all of you that get stuck when it comes to this.

 

How much did the mechanic charge to loosen the bolt?

 

half hour labor minimum, $35. Having him do the whole job would be 4.5 hours labor, + cost of Honda belt.

well worth it IMO

 

LOL

the really easy to remove the crank pulley is get a good snapon/craftsman 1/2inch impact gun.... its worked every time for me!

 

I'm 99.9% sure the strongest impact gun wouldn't have worked for me. Unless I had about 500 PSI to work with.

The shop guys had to use a cheater bar. The guy even said something wasn't right, and that it was tighter than usual. I can't believe a bolt that size could possibly be that tight without stripping.

 

I had the same problem. Strong impact wrench and a large compressor wouldn't make it budge.


However, you don't need to put it on a lift... use the special hex tool to hold the crank pulley in place. The bar on the tool will rest against the front LCA, and then you can use a 17mm socket, an extension long enough to bring the end of the extension out of the wheelwell, and a breaker bar. Rest the breaker bar extension on a jackstand and slip a pipe over the breaker bar. Have the breaker bar so it points up in the air at an angle so that it points towards the front of the car and up in the air... basically a 45º angle. Then take your body and crank down on the bar and it'll break loose. This would work with the flywheel method too, not just the special pulley tool.

 

There's a reason why the bolt is so tight, so it won't come loose while driving. Should that happen, the consequences are pretty severe.

4.5 hours for a '95 Civic timing belt job is ridiculous. I can do it in the driveway in about 1 hour, maybe add another hour when replacing the water pump too.

A good impact wrench is essential not only for the crank bolt but also to zip off the upper motor mount nuts. There is a difference between a $29.00 1/2 inch impact gun and a $129 one besides style and longevity. The size of the compressor is not so important as the size of the hose going to the wrench.

 

also sockets.... get some good impact gun sockets. you can easily snap those cheap sockets. ive snapped many of cheap sockets and my dads good impact sockets he bouht has lasted a good 20years now and still going strong

dont cheap out on tools when it counts! youll just keep replacing busted sockets.
thats why craftsman and snapon cost so much. they are quality tuff tools and if they do break you can go back in and get a brand new one free.

 

It's a 93, just to clarify. Maybe I didn't mention it earlier.

Also, I would be completely blessed if I had the hex pulley, but I have the stupid pulley that has holes all around. And for that pulley, I think the tool is more expensive and hard to find than the hex pulley.

And I don't give a rat's *** how many hours it takes him, I am VERY VERY VERY against taking any of my vehicles to the shop for a job I can do myself. That's why I had him break the bolt loose. We tried on several occasions only to find which tools we could break. After he broke it loose I was able to do everything else. So he can charge suckers who will pay for the whole job what ever he wants. All I needed was one thing .

On a side note, with my in-experience, I could do the job in about 4.5 hours, but when I work I like to poke around and look everything over while i'm working.