chris79792000

Today I was buttoning up my optispark change, when i went to install the harmonic balancer bolt it broke. I pulled the harmonic balancer hub, but there isn't enough bolt to get on it. The bolt is broke about flush with the end of the crank. What do you guys think would be the best route to go to get this bolt out?

RamAir95TA

Unfortunately you made the common mistake of using the crank bolt to pull on the crank hub - a very bad choice. Have you tried an EZ-out?

chris79792000

Actually I used the three damper bolts to pull the dampener on. When I went to install the center harmonic balancer bolt it broke. No I haven't tried the easy out.

raroz28

So you had the hub on and then when you were tightening the hub down the bolt snapped? Or did you try using the crank bolt to pull the hub into place?

I have no idea how you're going to get that out. Hopefully there isn't a lot of torque on it and it will come out easily.

Try something like this when installing the bolt.
http://members.***.net/gmarengo/Misc/Misc.htm

chris79792000

Yeah the hub was already on. What is the best to reinstall the hub provided I get the bolt out?

raroz28

Check the link in my above post... It is a homemade tool that makes pulling the hub on a little easier. Make sure you clean the hub really well and get any rust or corrosion off of it. If it's still giving you problems, you can heat the hub up to expand it before you put it on.

If you don't want to heat it up, add some generous oil to it and that should help it to slide on.

I've never had a problem and I use a tool similar to the one in the link, make sure it's clean and oil it up really well.

chris79792000

Thanks

Dave1980

Here is what I used on my crank hub after having some trouble. It is basically a threaded rod that you screw into crank, then tighten the nut that presses the metal slug into crank hub opening. This presses the hub on the right way and stays centered. I bet a machine shop can make you one of these metal slugs to fit inside your hub. Then all you need is the threaded rod and washers. The bottom bolt is drilled through threaded rod and then a keeper has been shoved in to prevent it from moving on the rod. (some people weld this part)

Whatever you do , if you try to drill out the crank bolt.... Try to use a punch to put a mark in center if possible. (really important) Then use left hand drill bits made for drilling counterclockwise. Keep the speed really slow and let the bit work, and keep it oiled.
If it does not come out make sure hole is deep enough for easy out and then tap in, and try to turn loose.

Injuneer

Why did you pull the hub off in the first place? Isn't necessary, if all you did was change the Opti. Were you doing something else?

chris79792000

I was putting the dampner back on. I had the dampner on already with the 3 bolts in. I went to put the balancer bolt on and was tightening it up, it started to get snug and I went to give it another 1/4 turn and pop it broke. Anyway I gotit out today by just taking a punch and tapping out in reverse. I soaked it overnight with pb blaster. Luckily it came right out. Thanks for the pics of the tool, I already bought the rod. I'll have to see if I can get some kind of driver made. Thanks for all the help.