[Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

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Adam86
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[Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Adam86 »

Morning all,

A friend of mine has just bought a 1991 NA Uk model with the head gasket gone.

We spent the day yesterday changing the gasket, that's all done now, but we came to do the cam belt and the bottom pulley bolt is literately seized solid.

WE even managed to snap on of his 1inch drive sockets!

It's been soaking in penetrating oil overnight, but are we missing a trick? It's not an opposite thread or anything silly like that it is?

Thanks!
Slarty
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Slarty »

No it's a conventional right hand thread so you're not going the wrong way!!

They just seize in place sometimes I'm afraid. More leverage and/or heat if you can apply some directly to the head of the bolt without melting the lower timing belt cover!
Wingers
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Wingers »

if the engine is still in the car then get a long-ish ratchet or breaker bar on there and rest it against the floor so it can't move, then flick the starter motor and it will undo itself. :thumleft:
If it's already out of the car then it can be a real pain.

Wingers
Slarty
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Slarty »

Wingers wrote:if the engine is still in the car then get a long-ish ratchet or breaker bar on there and rest it against the floor so it can't move, then flick the starter motor and it will undo itself.


I was going to suggest this method (I've done it plenty of times myself in the past) but some people have a fit over it :roll:

Just make sure that if you do try this method that you remove the king lead from the coil first, to prevent the engine accidentally starting.
Driftlimits Performance
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Driftlimits Performance »

flywheel can also be locked from underneath
planted1
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by planted1 »

Failing all else,
do you know a commecial tyre fitter,
slip him £20 and ask him to fire up his compressor,
those 1inch impact guns will shift lorry tyre nuts,
did mine in a bout 3 seconds

steve
Adam86
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Adam86 »

Well just an update...

Snapped an Inch Drive Impact gun...

Snapped a breaker bar...

Got fed up, jammed the flywheel an the bottom (by the clutch cover) and the top (by the starter) and got a 4 foot breaker bar, and scaffold pole, and it FINALLY came loose!
planted1
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by planted1 »

"Snapped an Inch Drive Impact gun..."

Feck me that was tight then
tyre guy pulled up in his truck started his diesel powered compressor,
clipped his snap on gun into the line and whizzed mine off in 3 secs,
that was after i'd tried for a week to get it off.

still its off now :thumleft:
SFLee
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by SFLee »

are you sure 1 inch not 1/2 inch you snap

1 inch is massive most diy home tool go up to 1/2 only

and 1 inch air tool torque wench go up to 1200ft/lb and beyond
Adam86
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Adam86 »

Yes it was an inch drive :P

My half inch snap on one didn't stand a chance!
SFLee
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by SFLee »

ok

just look at one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-2m-US-PRO-1-inc ... 35aa7bd815

it look huge
Adam86
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Adam86 »

OMG read the tread? It is an Inch Drive impact gun... This actual one...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog
mark239
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by mark239 »

Heat is the best way.

Soaking it in oil isn't going to do anything.

How did you manage to hold against the breakaway torque of the impact gun!!
DeusMR2
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by DeusMR2 »

I didn't have an impact gun so I ended up drilling (carefully) into the centre part way. After that it came away with a long diy breaker bar.

Definately one of the most painful bolts to remove on an MR2. Ranks up there with the CAT bolts after the turbo ](*,) :lol:
Amebb
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by Amebb »

hi there

I took my pulley off a few months back and it was stuck solid... tried WD40 etc ... left it soaking for a few days and still no movement.

What worked for me was a blow torch. Placed that on the pulley until it went hot and then used a rachet bar to unbolt the bolt. But, a heavy lump hammer also helps.

This bolt is a genuine pain in the ar$e to undo if it gets stuck!

Good luck if you are still trying to open it.
GMLMR2
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Re: [Mk2] [Generic] Nightmare Bottom Pulley Bolt!

Post by GMLMR2 »

It’s because there done up with such a torque, has to be that way otherwise they come undone and your cambelt and pully will wonder past you as you break down :(

I think I can go one better, had the same problem on a mondeo years ago now, when I went to undo the bolt I found out the numpty who had the car before me had rounded off the nut to smooth lol yea great :roll: :-k , so I ended up welding another nut onto the top of the existing one got it off that way, unbelievable what people do. ](*,)

Usually in “normal” circumstances I firstly tap the bolt with a lump hammer then use a mega big breaker bar and it usually comes off with no hassle 8)
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