Front main sprocket stuck

immortal_suby · #1 03-13-2005, 10:18 AM

Arghh.

My replacement engine is giving me a pain in the arse.
Finally had nice weather today to drag it out and planned to replace the oil pump, water pump, timing belt, and cam seals.
Got as far as getting the timing belt off and I can't get the main sprocket to budge.
I guess there must be a special tool to remove it. It has just slid right off on the other svxii every time. I don't want to pry on it and damage the teeth for the crank position sensors.

Can't budge the cam sprocket bolts either. I guess I have to spend the money on the subaru tools.

Anybody got any redneck methods of removing it? Slide hammer?

kuoh · #2 03-13-2005, 10:26 AM

I take it that you have already removed the half moon key? As for the the cam sprokets, I used a strap wrench to hold it still while loosening the bolt.

KuoH

immortal_suby · #3 03-13-2005, 10:37 AM

Have not removed the key. Never had to before but thanks, I'll try that next.

I was using a strap wrench on the cam sprockets but couldn't get it tight enough to hold them still.

Beav · #4 03-13-2005, 11:26 AM

A piece of steel with a couple strategically drilled bolt holes to accomodate bolts/nuts that will reach in between the sprocket spokes will work just dandy. Nothing you can't find at Home Depot.

The crank sprocket is probably just stuck on old, dry oil. Soak it a little and use a bar to walk it off. Or use a gear puller...

immortal_suby · #5 03-13-2005, 11:50 AM

Just to clarify. I have the crank pulley off, it is the crank sprocket that is stuck.
I tried to remove the half moon key but couldn't get it out even with a vise grip on it. It moved a little but wouldnt come out.

I have PB blaster on it now.

It doesnt look like any of the holes in the sprocket are threaded where I could get nuts into it to drive it off or grab hold of it. Probably going to need a gear puller.

SVX-FF · #6 03-13-2005, 12:43 PM

I know from past experience that the cam sprockets are very hard to get off the first time. The subie dealer tool is nothing more that a wrench the graps the sprockets teeth. The bolts are about 90ft lbs tight.
Somthing like this might work Wrench

If that does not work and you are going to replace the valve cover seals, use a flat screwdriver on the inner cam gear teeth. It worked for me when I need to snap the cam sprocket bolt off.

Steve

kuoh · #7 03-14-2005, 01:24 AM

If the key is stuck, there is the possibility that it might somehow be wedged between the shaft and sprocket. This happend to a friend's SVX when the bolt holding the crank pulley came loose and sheared the key. We could never get the other half of the key that was stuck under the sprocket out nor could we get the sprocket off using a puller.

On the strap wrench, you will need to have help. It isn't possible for you to hold the wrench tight and use the breaker bar at the same time. Make sure you both wear thick gloves, as one slip could easily mean mashed fingers.

KuoH

Quote:

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

Have not removed the key. Never had to before but thanks, I'll try that next. I was using a strap wrench on the cam sprockets but couldn't get it tight enough to hold them still.

svx_commuter · #8 03-14-2005, 05:30 PM

I had to tap the holes in the crank sprocket the first time I took one off. Then I was able to use a puller. You may have to push the sprocket back on all the way to get the half key out.

immortal_suby · #9 03-15-2005, 04:45 PM

Good ideas! Thanks guys, I'll have another go at it this weekend. I've been spraying it with PB blaster every morning before heading to work.