How to unscrew the crankshaft pulley by yourself

Work associated with the replacement of the engine timing belt, the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys, the front engine oil seal, and the generator drive itself, require the removal of the crankshaft pulley. This element is both on domestic cars, and on foreign cars. Actually, most motorists have a question, how to unscrew the crankshaft pulley? And to be even more precise, the fixing bolt on the crankshaft flange, and in which direction to turn the key. Let's consider.

Crankshaft Pulley Malfunction

The main faults include:

• Wear of the element itself;
• Presence of cracks on the pulley body;
• Backlash;
• Slip of the alternator drive belt.

In addition to the wear of the pulley working surface, slippage can also occur due to the wear of the drive belt. It changes every 60 thousand kilometers.

In which direction to unscrew the crankshaft pulley

This question is asked by many motorists. In order not to allow a breakdown of the thread or, even worse, twisting the head of the bolt, it will not prevent the driver from figuring out which way to turn off the crankshaft pulley bolt.

Since on the pulley and flange fixing element the thread is right-sided, it is untwisted as well as the other car nuts (counter-clockwise).

Features of work

At first glance, there is nothing difficult in simply removing the bolt securing the pulley to the flange of the engine's crankshaft. However, this is not quite true. The crankshaft pulley bolt is very rarely unscrewed and always boils. Therefore, there is a risk of frustrating it. First we need to get to this pulley. To do this, the generator fixing bolt is loosened to the tension bar. The latter is attached to the engine block.

The generator is shifted towards the engine, and the drive belt is removed from the pulleys. It can be of a stream type or notched. Now, having reached the necessary element, proceed to further actions.

Tools for work

In the case of a manual gearbox, the crankshaft pulley bolt can be unscrewed using a spanner or head. It is better to take a conventional wrench. The ratchet in most cases does not withstand such a load (even if it is the strongest) and as a result crumbles to pieces. It is not recommended to use a carbide or gas wrench while dismantling the crankshaft pulley.

The first tool can break, and the second will only spoil the edges of the bolt, and the next time it will be even more difficult to unscrew it. In case of strong damage to the faces, it will have to be drilled and extracted in parts, which will be unpleasant for the owner of the car. This will increase the time to replace the item.

How to unscrew the crankshaft pulley WHA

On domestic cars of the VAZ "Classic" family, as with other cars, the item is extracted equally. The difference will be only in what kind of gearbox is installed on the car, which produces such work. In which direction should the crankshaft pulley bolt be unscrewed? Definitely counterclockwise.

To simplify the task, you can call an assistant who must turn on the direct gear (3 or 4) and keep the brake pedal depressed. At the same time, you will unscrew the bolt securing the pulley. If the car is rear-wheel drive, then you can do without an assistant. Simply place the machine on the handbrake and unscrew the bolt in the same way. You can do the work from the side of the bonnet or down in the inspection ditch. The main thing is that it was convenient to work. You can also poddomkratit car and remove the front right wheel.

This will provide good direct access to the crankshaft pulley, which is unscrewed by the head with an extension. The bolt of the mechanism seldom "gives in" at once and permanently sticks to the inner hole of the flange of the crankshaft. Therefore, it is always very difficult to break it. If the bolt of the pulley can not be unscrewed, a long wrench or pipe may come to the rescue. The element is put on the key. Holding the very edge of the wristlet, collecting, as they say, all the strength in a fist, you should try to take it off again. In fact, the longer the lever, the easier it is to work.

For car owners with automatic transmission

How to unscrew the crankshaft pulley on the machine? If an automatic gearbox is installed, then the "Parking" transmission is set on the car with the rear drive. The manual brake is activated and then the element is unscrewed in the same way as on the mechanical box. Harder, if the car was front-wheel drive. In this case, remove the element as on the mechanic (with the gear engaged and the brake pressed) will not work.

There is a big risk of damage to the gearbox. In this case, the crankshaft must be stopped so that it can not rotate in any other way. Insert the mounting between the teeth of the gearwheel of the engine flywheel through the hole in the transmission bell. They rest against it so that it can not come off and damage the teeth on the flywheel. In some cases, to get to the flywheel, you need to unscrew the engine starter. This will require an inspection pit, lift or flyover.

The second way of dismantling

There is another tricky way to unscrew the crankshaft pulley. It is done independently without having an assistant. Preliminary having removed a belt of a drive of the generator, on a bolt of the mechanism it is put on a head or накидной a key which the handle rests against any surface.

It is not necessary to restrain it in the body or other parts of the engine compartment. When unscrewing the key can damage the units with rubber nipples, scratch and even damage the body. In the future it becomes clear why. It is best to rest the handle of the key in the ground or floor, putting a wooden board under it. The main thing is to have a firm and even surface. If the key does not reach to the stop, then by moving the head or rotating the crankshaft to rest it in a firm surface.

Now, having switched on the ignition, it is necessary to start the engine by the starter. Its power is more than enough to disrupt the pulley locking bolt. The main thing is not to overdo it and correctly lock the key, so that it stays firmly in place and does not stagger. Even because of a small displacement, it will jump off the head of the bolt and damage the engine compartment. In no case can you start the engine, and if it does happen, immediately drown it.

To exclude starting the engine, it is possible to remove the fuel supply hose from the gasoline pump to the carburettor, if it is a carburetor engine, or the hose entering the fuel rail, if the engine is injected.

Conclusion

Now you know how to unscrew the crankshaft pulley yourself. The owner of the car needs to approach this work with great responsibility. Admitting the slightest mistake, you can provide additional repairs, which will be accompanied by a large cash outlay. If the bolt head of the crankshaft pulley locking is broken, the thread or the parts of the engine compartment will be damaged. Therefore, correctly following the above recommendations, the work will be quick and high-quality without the emergence of adverse situations. On this question, how to unscrew the bolt pulley crankshaft with your own hands, can be considered closed.