I am trying to change the Timing belt on a 1990 Maxima, and am having trouble getting the Crankshaft Pulley off, How do you hold it to break the bolt loose, and is the bolt a right or left hand thread. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

it's a regular right hand thread.

if you've got an impact wrench, you should be able to zip it off with that. if not, you need a bigger impact wrench!

If you don't have one, then your other option is to remove the starter and wedge a bigarse screwdriver into the ring gear on the flex plate. that will keep the engine from turning while you pull on the other end.

the OTHER option (which I don't recommend, but had had to do once myself) is to stick a breaker bar on it and bump the starter.. the engine will turn over and if you're lucky, the bar will hit the control arm and pop the bolt loose. if the car starts, immediately shut it off and you're good from there.

 

On my bro's gsr, we had to put the wheels back on, set it down on a ramp, e-brake and he stood on the brakes. Then I wrenched it loose with a huge arsed breaker bar.

 

I had to do this on a free standing engine...with no flywheel. Needless to say, I had to pony up for an impact wrench, and it went smoothly after that.

 

Haynes says to use a towl and a chain wrench to hold the pully still while you loosen the nut.