If your front main seal starts leaking, you’ll need to remove your crankshaft pulley to get at the seal. Without air tools, that project could feel quite impossible, mostly due to the stubborn bolt. Thankfully, there’s a way around the need for air tools when tackling this project.
What’s the best way to remove the crankshaft pulley?
Well, with help from #savagescotty, you’re sure to get that pulley off in a jiffy. You just need to get a cheater bar and socket so you can try out his nifty trick.
Lifelong mechanic Scotty Kilmer has racked up a lot of tricks while working in the auto service industry. They are all designed to get the job done right without spending too much time or money on each step. Here’s what you need to know about this one.
All You Need is a Cheater Bar and a Socket
As long as you have a long cheater bar, also known as a breaker bar, and the right size socket, you can forget the air tools. Scotty likes to use this trick whenever he can since it works so well to remove stubborn crank bolts. Just follow these steps to get that crankshaft pulley off in a hurry.
1. Find a Socket That Fits on the Crank Pulley Bolt
Your first order of business is finding a socket that fits on the end of the crank pulley bolt. Use a normal length socket, so you don’t push the cheater bar out too far.
2. Put Cheater Bar on the End of the Socket
Slide the socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt, pressing it down firmly. Then, push the cheater bar on the other end until it snaps in place.
3. Figure out Which Way the Engine Turns
Now, take a moment to figure out which way the engine turns. You can think about how your fan spins to get the answer. If your fan is like the one in the video, it turns clockwise and so does the engine.
4. Wedge the Cheater Bar in Place
With that in mind, Scotty says to move the cheater bar in that same direction about a quarter turn. Wedge the end of the bar against a solid piece of metal, like the bracket used for the air conditioner pulley.
5. Crank the Engine to Loosen the Bolt
Have everyone stand back as you get in the car to make the magic happen. You’ll just want to bump the starter for a quick second to turn over the engine. Don’t hold the key on long enough that the engine starts, however.
With the cheater bar holding the bolt in place, the spinning pulley will cause it to loosen. Yes, it’s really that easy.
6. Take the Bolt off by Hand
After the engine does the bulk of the work for you, just take the cheater bar off the socket. Then, turn the socket by hand to pull the bolt out.
Finish the Service Using a Crankshaft Pulley Puller
Once you have the bolt off, the rest is a piece of cake. Just use a crankshaft puller to remove the pulley. You’ll need to secure that neat tool to the pulley with two bolts.
As you tighten down those bolts, they will gently pull the pulley off the engine. After that, replace the seal as instructed in your owner’s manual. And then, reinstall all the parts you removed to complete this service.
If anything goes wrong, you can always get your mechanic to help you out. Make sure the service goes smoothly by providing all the Vehicle History insights they need.
