MikaelSS

In the middle of it, can't get the crank bolt off. Is this a reverse thread or is there something else i'm missing?


I'd like to not have to put the car back together unless everything is done.

Stephen04E55

The crank pulley bolt has standard direction threads so counterclockwise will remove the bolt. Make sure that you have the engine locked by means of a longer torque converter bolt to keep the engine from rotating when breaking this bolt loose. It is torqued to around 225ft/lbs. so it will take quite a ratchet to break it loose. Use a piece of pipe for leverage on your breaker bar or 1/2" ratchet to help this process.

medici78

What do you mean by "longer torque converter bolt"?

MikaelSS

I'll take a stab at this. He probably means to remove the dust cover from the tranny and lock the torque converter, in this case with a longer bolt.

I put a pulley on a lightning and they gave you a bracket to bolt the flywheel to the tranny housing. I think i have a way to keep it from moving, but was really afraid i was going to break something- that's how hard i was pulling.

Stephen04E55

yes...exactly what mikaelSS stated above. Remove the dust shield that is snapped in place, remove one of the many torque converter bolts and replace it with one that is long enough to impact the tranny housing when the motor turns as you are trying to loosen the crank pulley bolt. Of course it is a metric bolt with metric threads so take it to your local auto parts store and get one that will work. I stacked mine with a couple flat washers to get the perfect length. Hope this helps.

MikaelSS

Why am i having trouble finding the dust cover? I feel like a moron working on this car, i dn't know where anything is

MikaelSS

ok, next question how do i get that dman pulley off? just pull with my puny hands or does it need to be pried?

BMWEATR

get a big ***'n hammer! its what i do?
i bet your think right about now" *** i should of paid someone to do this!"

Stephen04E55

The pulley has a slight interference fit but a puller is not necessary. I used a small pry bar to get mine off but some have used a couple larger screwdrivers to pry with enough force to move the pulley. Just make sure that you do a little on one side then the other and it will come off. If you are going to use a more intricate puller then you will definitely have to remove the radiator to have enough room. I was not confident that the pulley could be removed with a pry bar or screwdriver, but it did with very little problem once it initially moved. The access cover you are looking for is directly behind the engine oil pan on the lowest part of the tranny. There are two electrical connectors that have a metal tab near this cover. Just pull on the black plastic tab and it will come off. Do a forum search on pulley removal as member Saber has a nice write up in which I asked a few questions just as you have.

ScottCLS55

If you get a good compressor and impact gun the locking of the torque conv. wont be necessary. That is if you have enough room to get the impact gun and socket in position.

Stephen04E55

very good point...but guess what...no room without removing the radiator. This would be perfect if there was enough clearance. Even a 3/8 drive impact doesn't have enough room.

ScottCLS55

Just a thought never worked on a Mercedes, I guess it is crammed. I have not had the pleasure to change my pulley to add 40+ horsepower either
I have did many other vehicles, and I hate it when I cant get a impact to the bolt, it's twice as much work and you always feel like you are about to break something or even better the breaker bar slips loose and bam new scratch... That would be hard to swallow on an E55..
Anyway good luck Michael SS!

Nandgopal

Well there is another way to do it, first disconnect the spark leads to ensure that the car wont start up. fit the deep socket wrench to the pully nut and rest it on the subframe just behind the radiator and crank the engine just for afraction of a sec, and there you would have loosened the damm nut but thetighten it well you have to either lock the timeing chainto prevent the crank shaft from trunning.

Stephen04E55

Yeah...with my '02 Z06 that I used to own the 1/2" impact worked perfectly to remove the crank bolt...made things much easier. If you have a long enough piece of pipe on a breaker bar it isn't too bad and can limit the possible slips.