Cranshaft wheel removal Options

[going_strong]

I replaced the oil pan seal last weekend as I was leaking some oil & after driving it and looking harder, it looks like I have a small leak in the crankshaft seal - not confirmed as its covered, just guessed.

Lifted the engine, removed the right hand engine mount, pulled off the camshaft cover and the tried to undo the crankshaft bolt. I managed to bend a bolt, crack the side of the wheel (crowbar was touching it & holding the bolt) and the dam nut didn't even budge. Used a long (2ft) extension torque bar & nothing apart from damaging the crakshaft wheel.

I put it back togther & pretty hacked off. I fear I'll do more damage to the wheel, offbalance it - if I haven't already & wondering if its time for the garage.

Any ideas if I was to give it a second go ?

$20 in seals & no doubt the garage wants a couple of hundred....

95 Celica GT, 145000

[Jhensley]

I just did mine and I don't remember having any problem but anyway ... I recommend a couple of things:

1. PB Blaster, like WD40 but better. Make sure you let it soak for a couple of hours for maximum effect. Also this is not a left handed bolt otherwise the engine would loosen it when running.

2. Tap the bolt head with a hammer (then repeat soaking ideally may need a few stages of this). This should loosen up the rust that is apparently holding it. Do nice 12" throws in the hammer, don't go nuts or you'll end up worse.

3. IMPACT wrench. If this is not available be creative and recreate the impact effect yourself: maybe a long pipe on a breaker bar and a hammer. Have someone put a lot of torque on your pipe/bar combo and then goto town on it with a hammer while it is pre loaded. Remember: without the impact hammer you are going to be turning the engine when loosening the bolt. You're going to have to keep it from turning, hopefully you can jam something in the pulley but be careful where because you'll end up breaking something flimsy.

4. You WILL need the pulley puller (Autozone or Advance Auto will loan you one, use metric bolts). After you get it off make life easier and sand down the nose of the crank so it will go on easier (it's hard to line up that keyway so don't force it and mess it up).

5. Make sure you don't overtorque it when you put it back together, so you or the next guy doesn't have this problem again.