Timing belt woes

[Justin727]

Attempted my timing belt job yesterday. Made good fast progress actually but when it came time to take off the harmonic balancer I ran into a slight problem

I was trying to break the bolt loose and ended up breaking the bolt off?!?!
Guessing someone either A: used locktite B: cross threaded it the last time it had a timing belt done.. :wtf:

Guess i'll be trying to attempt removing the broke bolt this weekend..

Wish me luck gentlemen

 

[the great him]

what way did you try taking it out? what was your method, and what direction did you try to turn the bolt?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Damn, sorry to hear that. Good luck with the extraction. Is there anything left to grab onto?

 

[the great him]

your best bet might be to get someone to weld on another bolt to the broken bolt and try to remove it that way

 

[SV_Dude]

Good luck!

If you choose to weld another bolt on the remaining part, be careful not to weld on the crank itself. If it were me I would very carefully try to drill it and use an extractor to pull it out. Worst case, you're pulling an engine and replacing the crank.

 

[SV_Dude]

I'm new t the 5vz but will soon be getting plenty of hands on experience with it when I start my rebuild tomorrow. Why did you need to pull the harmonic balancer?

 

[Justin727]

Just used a chain wrench and of course my 19mm. Lefty loosey. As I've always had with tacos and runners alike.

Nothing to grab onto @ all or to weld on.

Extraction would be the only way unless I yank it out and take it apart

 

[Justin727]

I'm new t the 5vz but will soon be getting plenty of hands on experience with it when I start my rebuild tomorrow. Why did you need to pull the harmonic balancer?

To remove and replace the timing belt

 

[SV_Dude]

To remove and replace the timing belt

As I said I'm new to these engines but once the tensioner is loose couldn't the belt slip off the cam gears and be removed freely from the harmonic balancer?

 

[Justin727]

Yes it will move freely but to completely remove the belt you'll have to remove the balancer. Trust me this is like a 1 in a million chance that this will happen to you. Just my luck I got it lol

 

[the great him]

um isnt the crank bolt a reverse thread? iirc it is, trying to visualize it in my head -cause i know as the motor spins it self tightens preventing it from coming lose while running...

 

[Justin727]

Negative Sir

 

[SV_Dude]

Yes it will move freely but to completely remove the belt you'll have to remove the balancer. Trust me this is like a 1 in a million chance that this will happen to you. Just my luck I got it lol

I'm not worried about it happening to me, I have a bit of wrenching time under my belt I just don't know this engine yet.

Post a pic of the busted bolt if you can. Maybe we can help give suggestions of how to get it out if you're looking for advice.

 

[cdrewferd]

Negative Sir

Agreed, it is normal thread.

Any pics of the bolt? Did it at least snap to where you can pull the balancer off and work with a bit more room?

 

[5vzT4R]

That sucks.. Good luck removing the bolt. Let us know the outcome! Glad my belt and water pump were done recently by the previous owner lol.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I am guessing someone had either used an 1" impact or more likely some heat to get the old one out before. That is why it is always good practice to spend $10 for a new one for every TB change.

Any way to grind down more of the bolt, pull the balance off with a jaw puller, then stick a big screwdriver in the flywheel while you go from there? You may want to find a used harmonic balancer at the same time.

Keep us updated.

 

[Justin727]

I've got plenty of years of mechanics under my belt as well but I'm always open to advice and suggestions. As we all go through life we'll never stop learning!!

The balancer is off, no issue really once the bolt actually broke. Balancer looks good I'll reuse it. If I ever have an issue I'll replace it.


Pics for everyones viewing pleasure. I will inform the community on my way if I'm successful

Pics will follow the process this weekend

 

[LittleCaesar]

Ahhh. OK. Jeez, what a PITA. The bolt looks pretty new. Maybe it was put on with too much force.

I'd say try and tap it, but realizing it is a one time shot.

 

[Justin727]

Ahhh. OK. Jeez, what a PITA. The bolt looks pretty new. Maybe it was put on with too much force.

I'd say try and tap it, but realizing it is a one time shot.

YEEEP!

Just got done with the PO. We went back through his records of when he had the TB changed last @ 91578.

The parts list had all the usual replacement parts including seals and WALA 1 brand new bolt.

I'm with you. Either too much force on install or red locktite and or a combo of both...

I'll take my snapon extractor set and some freshly sharpened bits to handle this later this weekend. I've been soaking it every day since the breakage with PB so hopefully that'll help as well.

I've gotta be precise and take my time to be successful with the extraction. Very surgical indeed.

 

[the great him]

yeah, just looked through my fsm for my 97 and its backwards threads... om guessing they just put it on with too much force...