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ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject: Stubbornly stuck crankshaft nut

Hi,

I stumbled upon a late 33 with power steering in need of front crankshaft seal replacement. The pulley is the bigger one with the 36mm nut. Those are always difficult to pry loose but this one is really stuck. I have applied WD40 a number of times, heated the nut, applied more than 1000Nm of torque, broken one wrench, no luck so far. With the engine in its compartment I cannot use an impact wrench.
Next step will involve a dremel for grinding the nut. Any ideas are welcome.

Regards,
zp

paulhide · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:23 am Post subject:

Maybe it undoes the other way to normal Question

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Admin · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:09 am Post subject:

Hi

Years back with major problems on one of these we landed up hiring a mains powered impact wrench and the transformer to go with it. That took it off rapidly when air powered tools had done nothing.

All the best

Keith
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RFlower · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject:

Not much use with the engine in the car, but if you decide to take it out I have had success with the following method, even on bigger nuts.

Fit a good quality 1" drive socket with a short extension and a sturdy tee-bar. Chock up the outer end of the extension to keep it steady, with the tee-bar just above horizontal on the LHS.

Take good aim and swing a 14lb sledge hammer (marteau à deux mains, masse, de 6.36kg) at the tee-bar.

Always works for me, and cheaper than hiring equipment.

Edit: If you can reach the nut from above with a long chisel, you can split it off with a bit of patience. They usually come loose anyway before they split.
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ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject:

Hi, thanks everybody for the answers, I ended up dropping the engine. The professional 1/2" drive impact wrench had not enough torque to get it loose, I had to drive to a truck shop and use a bigger impact wrench (the one which weights 15kg and requires two hands to handle).
Never seen such a nightmare...

Regards,
zp

paulhide · Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 8:12 am Post subject:

Seriously 'stubbornly stuck crankshaft nut' then Exclamation

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Brit01 · Gold Cloverleaf Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 665

I had the same issue last week.

But after about 15 minutes of using a pneumatic wrench the stubborn nut eventually came off.

Just needed to remove the bumper and lift up the radiator a couple of inches.

Had a little trouble getting it tight enough though. It was slipping initially. The mechanics applied some graphite stuff between the 2 metal surfaces to grip them.
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reijnaje · Alfa Arna Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Posts: 2

I have had a stuck crankshaft nut aswell. Decided not to bother with my impact wrench, just drilled a hole in it and split the nut. Then you just need to buy a new nut.

I think this is the preferred solution. What happens to the crank if you apply that much force to get the nut off Shocked

RFlower · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:25 pm Post subject:

A very good point, I think. Beating on the nut can't do much good to the crankshaft or the front bearing.
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Dick Flower, Nr. Carcassonne. '94 Trofeo 1.4 ie (F), '93 Imola 1.3/1.4 ie (now for breaking) (F), '91 1.7 ie (GB)(spare car), '86 Sprint 1.5 QV (F). '87 VW Syncro camper (F), '73 NSU Ro80 (F), '99 Fiat Seicento (F)