I am at the end of my project from Hell - timing chain tensioner and guide replacement. I am in the process of bolting everything back together.

When it came to the crankshaft pulley, I was able to get the bolt off by using an electric impact wrench. Now I am trying to put the bolt back on. The FSM calls for torque specs of 29 to 36 ft lb then turn an additional 60 to 66 degrees. I was able to torque the bolt to 35 ft lb and placed a mark on the crankshaft pulley to rotate the bolt again, At this step, the crankshaft pulley will rotate too, So I am trying to come up with a way to hold the crankshaft pulley still while I turn the bolt a bit more.

So far, I tried one of those rubber band wrenches to hold the pulley but the pulley will slip. Does any one know of a simple way to hold the crankshaft pulley still while I turn the bolt? I know I can probably put the bolt on using the impact gun but most experienced folks on this forum advised against this work around. My car is an automatic. Thanks!

 

Try to use your impact until the marks line up.

Or find (or make) the tool to hold the starter ring gear. Some have wedged a screwdriver or pry bar etc. and ruined the timing ring so be careful.

If the car is a manual just put it in gear and hold the brakes.

 

Since you are referencing the FSM, what does it say it do to hold the crank pulley while you tighten the bolt? What year Maxima are we talking about? If your auto is anything like the 95-99 auto Maximas, I believe the FSM for the 4th generation Maxima states to open a small door/panel on the transmission to gain access which allows installing a temporary wedge in the flywheel to hold the transmission from spinning while the crankshaft pulley bolt is tightened, or something to that effect. Been a loooooong time since I've changed a crankshaft pulley on a 4th gen Max.

 

My vehicle is a 2003 Infiniti I35. The service manual says “fix crankshaft using suitable tool”. That is not at all helpful, unfortunately.

 

In the front of the FSM, it might reference all the specialty tools needed to complete various jobs. Can't speak for certain for Maxima FSM's, I'm only going by my memory of other FSM's that I recently viewed. Perhaps look for the inspection window that I referred to earlier.

 

A prybar in the crankshaft sensor hole or wedging the flexplate/flywheel at the starter is a suitable method to torque the crankshaft bolt!

 

After assemblying countless of motors..... This year alone.....

I've never done more than just some ugga duggas for torque spec on a crank pulley.

I would say I've had a motor I've assembled 8 years ago still on the road but it blew a head gasket a few years back.... But the replacement motor is still working, that's my oldest motor on the road now.

Soooo 5+ years without a problem by just "sending it" with my impact.

Will continue to do so 🤷🏽‍♂️

​​​​

 

Thanks to everyone's advice. I decided to take a different approach after doing some more research. I noticed some smart people built a homemade tool using 2 bolts attached to either a 2X6 or 2X4 piece of wood to hold the pulley still. I also saw a video of someone doing the same using a metal bar. So I decided to give it a try. I was able to find a metal bar with holes already built in from Home Depot. After fastening the bolts to the bar, I attached it to the pulley. Amazingly, I was able to torque the bolt to the 60 degree mark. Here are a couple of pictures just to pass on my learning to others on this forum.

Here is the 3 ft Home Depot Bar with 2 - 3 inch bolts attached.

Here is how I used it to hold the crankshaft pulley still while I torqued the bolt to another 60 degrees.

 

Nicely done! Looks just like the specialty tool that I used on my Toyotas. Glad you got it figured out.

 

nice post ! thanks for sharing your solution !