HELP: How to remove Idler No. 1 Bolt?

[Seattle206]

I'm swapping out both the idler no. 2, idler no.1, and serpentine belt. The two idler no. 2 were easy to swap out but the bolt for idler no. 1 will not budge at all and I am on the verge of stripping the bolt head.

I tried soaking it with PB Blaster, also heated with a torch. It's in an extremely tight place due to the oil filter assembly so a socket wrench will not fit in there. I tried using a 14mm crowfoot wrench which kept slipping off due to stripping, then tried an open end wrench but with the same result.

Any suggestion on how to get it off? Thanks

 

[<<<<]

Do not use box wrench or crowfoot. 6 point wrench is the only way to go. Keep in mind that both idler pulleys have standard tread but tension pulley is left tread.

 

[catrains]

use a 6 point socket or a 6pt wrench ....you did the 12 point socket ? probably a china tool ..

now if you can not remove it with the 6pt tool then use a turbo torch heat the bolt with a good sized flame to just flame it to the bolt ..then put the wrench in a ice bucket ...the bolt is hot then the wrench cold will shrink the bolt threads or Toyota used a thread loctite ..

 

[lewdog998]

use a 6 point socket or a 6pt wrench ....you did the 12 point socket ? probably a china tool ..

now if you can not remove it with the 6pt tool then use a turbo torch heat the bolt with a good sized flame to just flame it to the bolt ..then put the wrench in a ice bucket ...the bolt is hot then the wrench cold will shrink the bolt threads or Toyota used a thread loctite ..

You could always use dry ice too...available qt most grocery stores. Heat the area around the bolt and hold a piece of dry ice against the bolt head for minute. It should shrink the bolt faster than surrounding metal due to less thermal mass.

Also make sure the socket is a quality brand as tolerances can be off....you may even consider a flank drive socket from snap-on if you are really concerned. Lastly, some sockets the first couple mm of the inner area is slightly beveled (like a magazine well on a pistol) to make it easier to place on bolt. You could grind off the first mm or so of the socket to insure 100 percent use of the bolt head flats.

 

[Seattle206]

Okay, so I gave up before I really round off the bolt. Yes, I was using a Craftsman 14mm combo wrench (12-point), bad choice. This is the most stubborn bolt I've dealt with on my '14 t4r, surprisingly.

I went and ordered a 14mm 6-point long wrench. When it arrives I'll torch the bolt again try it with wrench.

 

[Jeremy556]

Do you really need to replace it? If so, pull the oil cooler out, just make sure to have a new gasket for the oil cooler.

 

[Seattle206]

Do you really need to replace it? If so, pull the oil cooler out, just make sure to have a new gasket for the oil cooler.

I got an Toyota OEM idler kit for a great price last black Friday. I'm at 125k and thought og refreshing some of the original parts. The idler no. 1 actually spins smoothly but if since I'm in there I might as replace it.

 

[Jeremy556]

I got an Toyota OEM idler kit for a great price last black Friday. I'm at 125k and thought og refreshing some of the original parts. The idler no. 1 actually spins smoothly but if since I'm in there I might as replace it.

125 isn't much, I would leave it. I recently replaced my idlers at 300k and it was done as PM, they were all fine, I was just doing some other work in the area and figured I might as well.

 

[1000MPH]

Toyota makes an idler kit? Got a part number?
Good suggestion on grinding down the socket face, this is good for stubborn diff drain bolts too.

 

[Seattle206]

Toyota makes an idler kit? Got a part number?
Good suggestion on grinding down the socket face, this is good for stubborn diff drain bolts too.

It was a deal package from Toyota of Kirkland which included the idler 2 pulleys, idler 1, and belt.

 

[lewdog998]

Okay, so I gave up before I really round off the bolt. Yes, I was using a Craftsman 14mm combo wrench (12-point), bad choice. This is the most stubborn bolt I've dealt with on my '14 t4r, surprisingly.

I went and ordered a 14mm 6-point long wrench. When it arrives I'll torch the bolt again try it with wrench.

You might also try an impact ratchet...not a regular electric or cordless ratchet....but the internal hammering of a true impact wrench, ratchet could do the trick....but they are relatively expensive....but a good excuse to buy one!

 

[Seattle206]

You might also try an impact ratchet...not a regular electric or cordless ratchet....but the internal hammering of a true impact wrench, ratchet could do the trick....but they are relatively expensive....but a good excuse to buy one!

It would be hard to get that impact ratchet in there because the area is so tight unless I remove the oil cooler which then frees up a lot of real estate.

 

[crawlingjunk]

Low profile impact socket will fit in there


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