Best way to remove harmonic balancer pulley? help please..

I need to break loose the 27mm bolt that's holding on my H/B pulley and need to hold crankshaft to TDC in process.

Anyone have a trick in doing this? MB sells a $106 bracket that secures to the rear of sump but there's gotta be a cheaper way.

If anyone has a trick, please share it!

TIA!

Iodyn

'91 300E (M103)

[Ethan]

I assume your car is an automatic trans.

then remove starter motor and place a wide blade screw driver between the starter
ring gear teeth.

better double check with someone who has done this.

Thanks Ethan.. yes it is auto trans,

My dilemma is I have the head off, thus no cam sprocket to hold timing chain. Therefore I have to keep it at TDC so I don't lose timing. I saw Dennis' method of making a sheet metal plate to bolt onto the pulley and burn a hole in middle to gain access to 27mm bolt but I don't have the tools to make one.

Also saw reference to slipping something in one of the harmonic balancer's grooves, and securing it that way. Mine has none.

I'm trying to reseal the timing chain cover and retrieve a head bolt washer that fell down behind the cover while head is at shop.

JohnB

[Stan Pittman]

I always use an air impact wrench. The crank never moves.

[mplafleur]

I removed mine after the head was off. I placed a small block of wood into the flex plate bolted to the torque converter. This was through the inspection hole on the front side of the converter. The wood would lodge itself against the housing and prevent the crank from moving.

Good luck.

[Maddog]

I have done the screwdriver in the teeth of the flywheel and it has worked before. Just make sure you can get the screw driver secured enough.

..I assume this is the hole that you're speaking of. Thanks for the idea. Where do you wedge the wood piece? Inside or outside of the flex plate?

TIA!

[Maddog]

I don't think you have the right thing....if you take the starter off you should see the teeth of the flywheel...I am just guessing this, i have never personally done this for this engine. So take the starter off and jam a screw driver in the teeth of the flywheel to hold the engine. You may want to get someone to help you. One person hold the screwdriver in the flywheel and the other undo the nut on the front of the harmonic balancer.

[mplafleur]

That's it. See the oval opening in the plate in the top left side. That's the spot to wedge. It's best to get a piece cut that fits as snuggly as possible.

[300EE320]

iodyn,

You can always make a bolt together version of the tool I described. Just use something rigid like 1 1/2" angle iron. I made a diagram, but I can't get it to post. I'll e-mail it to you.

Alternatively, you could use a jig saw with a metal blade rather than the gas torch.

Good luck, Dennis

[John Plut]

I think that Dennis has the safest method of holding the balancer. I would caution against jamming the starter teeth. I did that once on a boat motor and bent the starter shaft.

[300EE320]

I'm with you John. I never liked the idea of jamming something to break that huge bolt loose. I made a nice little diagram for the bolt-together tool, but I can't seem to post it. It can be made easily with a hacksaw and a drill. If anyone wants it, shoot me an e-mail.

Dennis

[Stan Pittman]

Was my post not shown or was it to rediculous to show

Stan:

I appreciate your input. I, however, do not have access to an impact wrench, or else I'd try your suggestion.

Thanks again!

~Paul