So I have an 89 4x4 5 speed 3.0 truck. I'm trying to replace the timing belt and can not get the bolt out of the harmonic balancer. I've used my snap on 1/2 drive impact, and a power buddy to no success. After trying for about thirty minutes I thought maybe I'm missing something. If anyone could tell me any tricks they used it would be much appreciated.

 

Starter trick

Or

Place truck in 4wd. Place in 5th gear. Chock wheels and have someone hold the brake. Then try this




If that fails then thisis what i did obviously i have to replace the bolt.

 

I like the starter trick, remember to pull the coil wire.

 

Yeah the starter trick sounds nice. Hopefully its successful.

 

The "starter trick" is mentioned all the time. I think because it sounds so cool!

But my question: how do you put the bolt back in? The starter obviously doesn't help. You still have to hold the crank from turning, while you put 181 ft-lbs (3vze) on the bolt.

So my advice is: don't risk your life with the starter. You're going to need some way to hold the crank when you put the bolt in, so suck it up and make the tool now. I (of course) am partial to this one: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...h-3vze-137934/ , but there are lots of other good designs referred to here. (Mine, for what it's worth, cost about 0.1% of what a snap-on impact costs).

The "put it in 5th gear" method cited by 92ehatch will work (with a manual only), but I'm not a big fan of lying under a truck when it might move.

 

Mine is a manual and I only mentioned snap-on because it is a pretty hefty wrench and it still didn't do the trick. That is right getting it off is only half the battle. Thanks for the info.

 

That's why i showed the picture of the jack doing the work

 

My method is a little different. I have tried the starter trick on many vehicles with good results but it seems Toyotas are different.
Not only are they tight but must put some sort of locktite or such on the flange of the bolt. I use a cutting torch to heat up the bolt enough to loosen the adhesive and they come right out. After the first time you usually don't have any more problems. I then use an impact to tighten it back up. Have never had a problem with any coming loose.
Good luck.

 

I haven't had issues with PB blaster and an impact gun to remove the crank bolt. Use the same impact gun to tighten the bolt back on and haven't had one back out on me ever.

 

I used the starter trick and it worked amazingly however I had pounded the bolt with a power bar before trying the starter so maybe that made it come off a little easier. Thanks for the info. Next project will be the 3.4 swap this summer.