Question : Crankshaft Balancer removal question???

[Jesster]

I've borrowed a DeWalt 292 electric impact wrench to unbolt the crankshaft balancer on a 3100 and the guy that lent me the impact wrench said he thought that the threads were reversed (Lefty-Tighty & Righty-Loosey) on that particular bolt. I've pulled the right side wheel and the plastic flap; the bolt head is easily accessible with a 1" clearance below the metal part of the wheel well. Any guidance/experience on bolt rotation would be appreciated.

1998 Lumina LS w/3100 108000mi

[pocket-rocket]

It's a standard thread rotation, not reversed. Lefty loosey

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[Jesster]

Okay, what is the secret to getting that bolt off? I have been trying to crank it with the electric impact wrench and it doesn't budge. Then I tried bracing it with a couple of bolts and a large screwdriver and it gives just enough to not turn the bolt. When looking onto the crankshaft balancer end of the engine (passenger side), the engine cranks clockwise. Shouldn't the bolt be tightened by turning it counterclockwise and the bolt loosened by turning it the same clockwise rotation as the crankshaft?

[Starglow]

Okay, what is the secret to getting that bolt off? I have been trying to crank it with the electric impact wrench and it doesn't budge. Then I tried bracing it with a couple of bolts and a large screwdriver and it gives just enough to not turn the bolt. When looking onto the crankshaft balancer end of the engine (passenger side), the engine cranks clockwise. Shouldn't the bolt be tightened by turning it counterclockwise and the bolt loosened by turning it the same clockwise rotation as the crankshaft?

I removed the HB bolt form both a 3400 & 3500 engine and they came loose easily using just a breaker bar. It's a standard thread as the other poster said, so it turns to the left (counter-clockwise) to loosen. Jack up the front end of the car and place it on jack stands. Remove the starter and lock the flywheel up against the engine block with a big bolt or ratchet extension placed in one of the holes on the flywheel. Lay under the car with your feet pointing towards the rear so your head is basically under the oil pan. Put the breaker bar on the HB bolt and pull down towards the ground which should loosen the bolt. The bigger the breaker bar the better for leverage.

[pocket-rocket]

You may need to move to an air impact. Mine is a Ingersoll-rand that has 600ft lbs at 90 psi and I have my compressor set at 150 cut off so I've never had a problem.

I also agree with Starglow. Hold the crank still at the flywheel, otherwise it will absorb the impacts and not bust the bolt loose.

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[Superdave]

air impact should work fine, i've never had a problem removing one with it. Also never had to stop the crank rotation, the impact should just zip it out.