my 91 CRX Si just decided it didn't like its crank pulley bolt anymore, so it got rid of it somewhere on the 15 freeway.

Anyway, the engine appears to be ok, the woodruff key that keeps the crankpulley, harmonic damper, and crankshaft all aligned properly is still in its slot, and for the brief time I ran it (then discovered something was very wrong and shut it off), the engine idled just fine, so I'm pretty sure the timing didn't change. So, on to my question...

First part is what really concerns me. The car is sitting in the parking lot where I work, and I don't have access to any of the proper tools here, nor can I just show up with a bunch of equipment and start working. So, can I just bring a ratchet and socket, tighten the nut as far as I can get it, and limp the car home? Please advise, I'm without a car until I can get this fixed.

I need to know how to torque that nut down. I know the specs, but what I'm wondering is, what is the best way to keep the driveline locked so I can put 150 ft.lbs. on that bolt? Is it safe to put that much force on the bolt with the car resting on its wheels in gear and the parking brake engaged?

Any suggestion is welcome, please help. Thanks!!

 

What I would do is get a long breaker bar or a breaker bar with a pipe and use the weight of the car to torque that sucker down, here's how.

Put your bolt in with the socket and breaker bar on it. Now hopefully the parking lot is pretty smooth, because you're going to put the car in gear, and push the car so that the crank is being turned and will try to turn the breaker bar along with it, which will be on the ground and trying to lift the car.

If the parking lot isn't smooth, then yeah, set the parking brake tight, put the car in a low gear, and get as much torque on it as you can manage.

Either way, if you're worried that you can't get the proper torque on it for the drive home, put a dab of locktite on the bolt and then redo it when you get home.

 

ur just spend the 30 bucks and have it towed, or if anyone in ur family has AAA they can tow it for free, ive used my moms AAA service b4

 

possibly vibrations pushed the bolt out because it wasnt torqued down correctly in the 1st place? just like my starter bolts lol, these problems are always a PITA id rather i just had to replace an alternator or somethign like that.

 

get a strap wrench to hold the pulley? i would be scared doing the car pushing thing... all you need is a bolt broken off in your crank

 

Nobody can answer about the rules at YOUR parking lot. I'd just bring a socket & breaker bar. Use 5th gear, set the breaker bar so it lays back towards the driver. When you push the car forward it will turn and wedge the breaker bar against the lower control arm or something like that. You may have to try it a couple times so it doesn't just fall off.

I'd put it on as tight as I could get it like the others have said. That'll be ok to drive home. It probably took a while to work loose in the first place. Then torque it properly.

How did you notice it? I really hope the pulley didn't actually come off, or you may have more damage than you're telling us about.