DIY: how to snap the crank bolt without an impact gun

[jimmeh]

when removing the crank bolt from most car all u have to do is get a breaker bar and socket, put the the socket on the nut and wedge the breaker bar on the ground. then all you to is crank over the the motor and the nut will be loose. you cant do this on the honda motor cos they spin in the opposite direction as most cars. so if you used the above method then all youll do is tighten the nut.

in the following example i took the gearbox off so i can replace the clutch. i have been told if u dont want to take the box off you can somehow lock the flywheel but i have tried this method yet.

just for reference sake here is a picture of the crank bolt.
http://blkcrx.hondata.com.au/mrjdm/snap%20crank/102_0910.JPG

you will need a breaker bar to make ur life easier when doing this. if u dont have one u can make one........sort of. all u need is you rachet and a piece of metal piping.
http://blkcrx.hondata.com.au/mrjdm/snap%20crank/DSC00466.JPG


slide to rachet handle into the pipe ..........and there u go.....instant breaker bar for a fraction of the price.
http://blkcrx.hondata.com.au/mrjdm/snap%20crank/DSC00475.JPG

in the picture below u can see how i locked the crank.

http://blkcrx.hondata.com.au/mrjdm/snap%20crank/102_0908.JPG


the only thing left is to snap the nut loose.:D:D:D

[SINISTR]

Haha! i've actually done that to my GENONE... snapped the Crank Bolt off... it was a HELL job to drill the thing out!!!

So I don't recommend anyone doing that!!!

[wynode]

U can still wedge a breaker bar even if the engine spun the other way.

[jimmeh]

U can still wedge a breaker bar even if the engine spun the other way.

u sure about that wyn

[wynode]

u sure about that wyn
If you're wedging it against the floor (very dangerous.....I know I tried it for my hub nut!) you just put the breaker bar on the opposite side :D

[SKREMN]

this might seem a bit silly but your twisting the crank i've heard of someone wedging there bolt with a bar and using the starter motor to spin it i'm pretty shure he ****ed something in his car thats the last i heard of it

[Bowzer]

If you want to be able to torque the crank bolt to specs and to prevent the crank from spining while you undo the crank bolt you can also invest in this tool from snap on...

In the past i've had to resort to using a 3/4 gun and sometimes that doesnt even work... Heating it up with a butane torch also helps but in some cases where the previous mechanic has gone and used loctite on the thread your pretty much out of luck!

Removing the starter motor and wedging a pry car also work but you require 2 ppl... and lots of swearing as it doesnt work the first time...

So perhaps avoiding injury and damage to the engine whats the alternative?

You might say its expensive but I think its a good investment... This tool can be used on most Honda (Accord, Civic, CRV, Del Sol, Insight, Odyssey, Prelude and S2000, Integra, Legend, NSX)

Part No. YA6010
Price: $166.72

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/36900/36843.JPG

[95civic]

^^^^ Anyone in melb have one of these I can borrow for an hour or so??

[aaronng]

Check if Bursons or Total Tools carry something similar.

[spardikis]

just start the engine with it in reverse ;)

[95civic]

I tried everything i could at home and had no luck, ended up using a 3/4 gun and it struggled but finally got it loose.

[spardikis]

I was kinda kidding about the reverse thing... but... best thing to do - since i accidently found myself in here - is to put the car into gear, and get ya mate on the breaks...


get an impact bar and socket onto it and smash it with a hammer - just like youd smash a commodore if you had a chance... Really hard and dont stop till its off ;)

or jump on the bar


sweet as!

[95civic]

i broke sockets trying to get mine off!! Free replacements FTW!

[A-man]

yeh never do it on the ground... for the fact that some cars ie commodores will have enough to lift the car off the stands with the bar.....

it works well taking bolts OFF not on usually wedge it between the chasis somewhere and u should be fine...

just check ur engine first u mite not realise some bolts r left hand thread and that or the engine does turn backwards....

i wouldnt say the bolt snapped because of this method i believe it was mechanics error...



HOWEVER

do use a good breaker bar or a snap on one because ull get it replaced for nothing like i did :P