Have you ever imagined what a bad crankshaft pulley can be like in your vehicle? It’s horrible, right? Since the crankshaft pulley is connected to the harmonic balancer, which is responsible for absorbing vibrations of your car’s engine during faster acceleration while you drive, a bad crankshaft pulley will alter the harmonic balancer’s ability to absorb your car’s engine vibration as you accelerate faster while driving.
Suppose you have also experienced power steering pump failure, alternator failure, and irregular idle engine speed. In that case, these are signs that you need to replace your vehicle’s crankshaft pulley, which is most likely responsible for those challenges.
Among many components of your car’s engine, the crankshaft pulley is a vital component due to its responsibility of distributing engine power to other systems of your car. If you have a bad crankshaft pulley that needs to be replaced and you don’t have a pulley removal tool, sufficient information has been provided on how to remove a crankshaft pulley without a puller.
What’s A Crankshaft?
Well, that is precisely the question most have when they first see one. A crankshaft is the part of an engine that propels (or turns) the drive system or some other rotary system, which in turn makes your car move.
It’s more commonly known as the “long skinny thing” on a car engine, but it goes by many names; main shaft, propeller shaft, camshaft… you get the idea.
A crankshaft basically works like this: The piston travels up and down inside an enclosed cylinder (for you non-specialists out there), which creates suction at the top of each stroke and forces air/fuel mixture into it at the bottom dead center.
As it reaches the top dead center, the piston begins its downward travel, and this is where the crankshaft comes into play.
Almost like a cam light switch, each stroke of the piston compresses air/fuel mixture in all of the connected cylinders simultaneously, making every rotation of said shaft good for one complete up/down cycle per cylinder.
The crankshaft is connected to the transmission through a series of gears. The engine itself has its own set of gears that connect it to the crankshaft as well, but they’re hidden from sight by a metal plate known as a timing belt or timing chain cover.
Because each cylinder shares exactly one piston and one corresponding crankpin, the rotation is uniform from every individual cylinder (which gives you that smooth running feel).
Another role of the crankshaft is transforming this rotary motion into reciprocating linear motion by means of connecting it to your car’s clutch/torque converter, and ultimately transferring it to your car’s wheels.
How to Remove Crankshaft Pulley without a Puller?
Removing a crankshaft pulley without the specialized tool can be challenging, but it’s possible with some improvisation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it safely:
Tools and Materials Needed
- A sturdy breaker bar or long-handled wrench
- A suitable socket (usually 17mm, 19mm, or 22mm) that fits the crankshaft bolt
- Penetrating oil (e.g., WD-40)
- Pry bar or long flat-head screwdriver
- Thick gloves and safety glasses
- Jack stands and wheel chocks
Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle.
- Park the Vehicle on a Level Surface: Ensure the car is on a flat, stable surface and engage the parking brake.
- Disconnect the Battery: For safety, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid accidental electrical discharge.
- Lift the Front of the Vehicle: Use a jack to lift the front of the vehicle and secure it on jack stands. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels to prevent movement.
Step 2: Access the Crankshaft Pulley.
- Remove the Serpentine Belt: Locate the serpentine belt that runs over the crankshaft pulley. Use a wrench or breaker bar to rotate the tensioner pulley and relieve tension on the belt, then slide the belt off the pulleys.
- Locate the Crankshaft Pulley Bolt: Find the bolt at the center of the crankshaft pulley. This bolt is typically very tight, as it holds the pulley securely to the crankshaft.
Step 3: Loosen the Crankshaft Pulley Bolt.
- Apply Penetrating Oil: Spray penetrating oil on the crankshaft pulley bolt and allow it to sit for a few minutes. This will help break any rust or corrosion, making it easier to remove.
- Use a Breaker Bar or Long Wrench: Attach the appropriate socket to the breaker bar or long-handled wrench and place it on the crankshaft pulley bolt.
- Position the Breaker Bar Against a Solid Surface: Rotate the breaker bar until it rests against a solid part of the vehicle’s frame or suspension. This will help hold the bar in place when you turn the engine.
- Turn the Engine Using the Starter Motor: With the breaker bar in place, have a helper briefly “bump” the ignition key to turn the engine over for a split second. The force generated by the engine’s rotation should break the bolt loose. Caution: Do not start the engine; just turn the key enough to nudge the crankshaft. Make sure your hands are clear of the moving parts.
Step 4: Remove the Crankshaft Pulley.
- Manually Remove the Bolt: Once the bolt is loose, you can remove it by hand. Be prepared for the pulley to be heavy or stuck due to grime or rust.
- Pry the Pulley Off: Use a pry bar or flat-head screwdriver to gently work around the edges of the pulley. Apply even pressure on all sides to gradually loosen and remove the pulley from the crankshaft.
How do you remove a stuck crankshaft pulley?
It is so much easier to remove a crankshaft pulley if you have a puller kit. Let’s examine the steps that you would take in this scenario.
1) The first thing you’ll want to do is gather all the necessary tools. These tools include the car jack, lug wrench, puller, impact wrench, and bolt remover.
2) Find the location of the crankshaft pulley in the vehicle. It should be located on the left or right side of the engine compartment. Check your owner’s manual if you have trouble finding the pulley.
3) Loosen the lug nuts of the wheel that is closest to the pulley. Use the lug wrench to do this.
4) Put the transmission in the “Park” position by shifting your gear appropriately. Now place the car jack under your vehicle and raise the wheel off the ground. Now you can remove the tire and wheel.
5) The bolt remover or impact wrench can be used to remove the bolts from the crankshaft. The bolts tend to be difficult to remove, so go slowly and be careful.
6) At this point, you will need to use the puller kit to remove the pulley from the crankshaft. It is so much easier to use a puller kit. If you do not have one, you can purchase one for $20 at your local auto store. The puller makes the removal process safer and easier. Just follow the instructions that come with it.
Alternatively, you can use a pry bar or air hammer to remove the pulley. This is a much more dangerous way to do it, so only use these particular tools if you are an experienced mechanic. Otherwise, go with the safer choice of a puller kit.
7) After you’ve gotten the pulley removed, replace it with the new pulley and repeat these steps in reverse.
8) Slippage tends to be a common problem when novices try to reassemble the crankshaft pulley of their vehicle. When you have slippage, then you have a misalignment of the central hub and drive ring.
As a result, the crankshaft pulley will wobble around as the vehicle moves. Even if the vehicle feels like it drives okay, the pulley will constantly slip all the time. If it slips too much, then it will eventually affect the drivability of the vehicle. That is why you need to disassemble the pulley properly so that you can prevent slippage.
FAQs.
Q: What tool is used to remove the crankshaft pulley?
The tool suitable for removing a crankshaft pulley is a half-inch drive impact gun. You could also use a torque wrench to secure it properly. Therefore, it would be helpful to follow the service manual guidelines when removing a crankshaft pulley and observe the safety precautions before raising and supporting your car’s front portion. As the acronym “ABC” goes, “Always Be Careful.”
Q: Is a crankshaft pulley bolt reverse thread?
A crankshaft pulley bolt is a normal thread; counterclockwise loosens the bolt. In removing the crankshaft pulley, the engine turns towards the opposite side against the removal direction of the bolt to ensure that it will not back out. If you turn the crankshaft the wrong way, it could damage the oil pump and the water pump. You may also want to find out how to stop the crankshaft pulley from turning.
Q: How much does it cost to fix a crankshaft pulley?
The estimated cost of replacing/fixing a crankshaft pulley is around $350 to $400. The cost of parts is about $200 to $220, while labor cost is estimated between $150 and $180. However, the costs may vary from one location or service provider to another. Ensure to locate an auto mechanic in your neighborhood who can do a good job of fixing your vehicle’s crankshaft pulley without errors.
Final Words
Since a bad crankshaft pulley projects an irregular idle speed, power steering pump failure, alternator failure, engine vibration, etc., trying to manage the situation can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Why not change the crankshaft pulley instead of ignoring the problem? It would save you the energy, time, and money you may have to spend if there are any further damages.
If you are okay with this information on how to remove the crankshaft pulley without a puller, you may have to take your car to a professional auto mechanic to help you fix the issue. Never ignore little problems for too long; they can escalate and cause more damage.