10 replies to this topic

[mrbridger]

1980 mini 1000.

I'm intending to replace the timing chain and I have spent ALL day trying to loosen/remove the camshaft pulley nut.
I followed Haynes guidance and put the car in fourth gear and applied the handbrake. I also chocked the wheels.
The problem is that i can't see a way of preventing the pulley from rotating with the nut.
I've wedged all kinds of tools and wood blocks under the pulley to no avail.
There isn't enough space between the nut and the inner wing to use my air impact wrench.
Before i go out and buy an air ratchet, is there a trick i'm missing?

Thanks
Andy

[Jordie]

when you say in 4th gear etc? is the car and both front wheels on the ground......

[mrbridger]

yes, all four wheels on the ground. Haynes says top gear and handbrake on.

[lrostoke]

Obviously daft question but you did knock back the locking tab.

Also try shocking it off...put the socket on then try giving the handle of the bar a good wack.

If you removed the radiator you should be able to get a couple of socket extensions on and use the air gun through the wing slots. In fact should be enough room get your air gun in at it without extensions.

Edited by lrostoke, 20 July 2009 - 03:26 PM.

[Grayedout]

Just take the starter motor out (2 bolts) and then get a friend to jam the flywheel with a hefty screwdriver!

[Cooperman]

You need the flywheel locking tool which bolts on where the starter motor bolts go.
If you set the timing marks correctly with 1 & 4 at TDC before locking the crank, it's so easy to fit the new chain at the correct timing.
Undo the lock tab and use either a flat open-ended spanner or a flat ring spanner to undo the cam nut.

[mrbridger]

Thanks everyone for the tips.

I took the passenger side front wheel off and managed to get a socket onto the nut and fed and extension bar through the letterbox shaped hole in the inner wing.
Even with the use of the impact wrench, the nut wouldn't spin. The wrench just seemed to rattle the socket against the nut.(And my fillings rattled in my teeth!)

I think i'll invest in a flywheel locking tool and have a go with that.

If that doesn't work I'm going to have to hand the job over to a local garage.
I hate the idea of leaving a car i've looked after done loads of work on with someone who may jack it up under the floor pans or lean on the wings with paint scratching buttons down the front of their overalls.

What, me, paranoid?...

[Grayedout]

You don't need the flywheel locking tool !! Just a big flat bladed screwdriver will be plenty !!!! The torque on the pulley nut is not huge !

[dklawson]

My first thought was also the lock tabs. Not trying to insult you with this suggestion either.... This is a standard nut, you are turning counterclockwise to loosen aren't you?

There should not be so much torque on that nut that you should need more than 4th gear with all four wheels on the ground.

[liirge]

Ive always used a screwdriver or Very thin Spanner between the teeth to lock the flywheel!

[GraemeC]

An old shell bearing makes and ideal flywheel locking tool