how to tighten crank sprocket bolt

[docterelliott]

my motor is out of the car and i cant seem to find a way to get the last 1/2 turn on the crank sprocket stretch bolt with out the crank spinning. any ideas would be very appreciated.

[concrete jungle]

I used a fly wheel locking tool

[B4S]

Hmm, I just wail on it with an impact and call it a day. Never did the stretch part. It's been years too...maybe I'll check my car.

[docterelliott]

where did you get the fly wheel lock tool? and i would impact it if i had one

[weeblebiker]

Hmm, I just wail on it with an impact and call it a day. Never did the stretch part. It's been years too...maybe I'll check my car.

ya ever think of what the impact wrench is doing to the connecting rod bearings?????????

drop the pan and wedge a pry bar or big screwdriver between the crank and block.

[docterelliott]

i figured it out. i have a lightweight flywheel so the pressure plate bolt holes are accessible from the back side. i put the bolt in about half way from the back so when i turned the crank the bolt would wedge up against the block and prevent the flywheel from spinning.

but still curious where you got the flywheel lock tool

[206danebmx]

I used a 2x4 wedged between the crankshaft counterweights and the block. The wood is forgiving so no damage to any metal surfaces.

[Keithcar]

That 1/2 turn of stretch is pretty serious, I had to wait till the engine was in the car, then put the car in gear and have a buddy hold the brakes.

[psychobandito]

bentley doesn't say anything about stretching it. where did you guys find this?

[Keithcar]

bentley doesn't say anything about stretching it. where did you guys find this?

i think it's like 60ft-lbs + 1/2 turn

i saw it in the bentley, in the big table of engine torque specs.

[ALLGORIMSHOW]

i think it's like 60ft-lbs + 1/2 turn

i saw it in the bentley, in the big table of engine torque specs.

x2

[rallyedude]

ya ever think of what the impact wrench is doing to the connecting rod bearings?????????

drop the pan and wedge a pry bar or big screwdriver between the crank and block.

I'd sooner use an impact than wedging parts between the crank and block . I don't think using an impact will damage rod bearings . If that was the case millions of motors would have been damaged by now . If I was seriously concerned about torque spec I'd use a crank gear tool not flywheel lock . I have a tool I use mostly on tdi's It bolts on the crank gear with two bolts and has a provision for a 1/2 inch drive tool (breaker bar) works great.

But at work I mostly use the impact method. I've been wrenching vw's for over 20 yrs now no comebacks .

[16ValveInside]

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[docterelliott]

yah if i could afford a nice air gun i would just do that, lol. unfortunatly, i have to do the gaint breaker bar method, lol

[Zxtechs]

Not sure if this applies to a 16v but both an impact and 66ftlb+1/2 turn lead to a broken bolt for me on an 8v. 66ftlb+1/4 turn running strong for now...

I've also read that the 1985 to 1992 (not 100%) Bently manuals say 66ftlb+1/2 turn where as the updated version now says 66ftlb+1/4 turn. I've had a few crank bolts out and these seem to be the most finicky.

[Mtl-Marc]

... but still curious where you got the flywheel lock tool

Dealer only special tool.

[Mtl-Marc]

I'd sooner use an impact than wedging parts between the crank and block . I don't think using an impact will damage rod bearings . If that was the case millions of motors would have been damaged by now . If I was seriously concerned about torque spec I'd use a crank gear tool not flywheel lock . I have a tool I use mostly on tdi's It bolts on the crank gear with two bolts and has a provision for a 1/2 inch drive tool (breaker bar) works great.

But at work I mostly use the impact method. I've been wrenching vw's for over 20 yrs now no comebacks .

Because they go see a more professional mechanic for their next maintenance.

The impact is for when you don't care about the customers, and you want to get the job done asap, and charge the big bucks for it.

It might hold, it might fail, who knows when it is not your car...