I was struggling all this morning trying to break the center nut for the idler pulley using a wrench because I couldn't seem to fit a breaker bar into the 1" gap. Sprayed a little WD-40, but that didn't seem to work. Somebody has to have had similar problems. How'd you guys loosen it? Also, I was using a 9/16 wrench(obviously not the best idea) because I don't have a metric wrench set, what metric size is that center nut?

 

The size of the nut is 14mm. Definately get a metric wrench set(at least) if you want to keep working on your Max. Try using PB Blater or Liquid Wrench to get it loose. You can also hook another wrench onto the end of the one your using to get some more leverage. Takes a little experimenting to get it right.

 

what are you installing that you need to loosin that nut ??

-matt

 

Changing the drivebelt....

 

Thanks FNG, worked beautifully...bought a set of metric wrenches...connected them up for leverage and was able to loosen the center nut....now on to changing that belt...

 

Its amazing what having the right tool can do towards making a job easier eh? glad you got it sorted out...

Out of curiousity - what the heck do you guys mean by connecting metric wrenches end-to-end... I don't see how you are going to be able to connect them well enough to get any leverage...

 

There is a way to wrap the open end of a wrench, with the closed end of another wrench, to add more leverage on it. This thread needs a picture. It's about time I to go buy a digital camera.

 

please further explain now to connect wrenches, do they all need to be the same size?

 

It works for metric or standard, you hood the end of one wrench around the other to make a big one.
Ex: You have the box end on a nut, you hook the box end of another wrench on to the crescent end of the one on the nut.

 

I get ya... although you are right.. a picture would be useful... maybe I'll put one up tonight when I get home... wouldn't it be easier to just get a $5 black pipe 3ft length from your local HW store and use that around a rachet... thats how I broke the 17mm bolt on my starter loose..

 

Prolly, but sometimes there's not enough room, the stores closed, your ****ed off and lazy, etc.

 

True... plus sometimes its more fun to improvise.