Crank Bolt - A4

[Bhatti, Mohammed]

Thanks to all who responded.  Some great ideas.
 
I checked out www.metalnerd.com and talked to the owners wife.  She said her husband is in the prototype stage of building a tool that will hold the crank in place for the A4.  Asked if I was willing to try it.  Said I wanted my car back on the road by weeks end.  Anyway, if anyone else is interested, you have the link.
 
Also, I like Scott's idea except I don't have a grinder nor a welder.  But I think this is the way to go.
 
Many thanks and I'll keep folks posted on what happens.
 
mohammed
97 A4 1.8tq

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: rocketscienceracing at comcast.net [mailto:rocketscienceracing at comcast.net] 
	Sent: Wed 12/3/2003 12:58 PM 
	To: quattro at audifans.com; Bhatti, Mohammed 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: Crank Bolt - A4
	
	

	Don't jam anything in the gear teeth, you will break something. Ditto for using the tranny, brakes, of filling a cylinder with rope, etc. The tool reference given was way overcomplicated.
	
	Think simple. The Audi tool is nothing more than a holding plate that bolts up between the crank sprocket and the chassis. You can make an equivalent in 15 minutes max. if you have a drill and a grinder.
	
	Drill one or two holes in a piece of flat steel bar stock. .25" x 1" stock works well. Make these holes so they match up with the pulley holes in the sprocket. Grind a small relief in the bar so you can get your socket through to the sprocket bolt. Cut the bar off long enough so you can get to one of the chassis bolt holes the Audi tool uses. Drill another hole to attach the bar at that bolt. Attach the bar to the sprocket using the pulley bolts. Done. Costs the gas to go get some free scrap metal at a sheet metal shop. Time required at home: 15 minutes.
	
	A few other tips: it will take a long cheater bar to get that crank bolt off, it's *on* there. You are supposed to replace this bolt, so get a new one, as the torque spec is "x ft-lbs plus 1/4 turn". If you reuse the bolt it is already pre-stretched, you'll only get x ft-lbs plus 1/8 turn. The cam and balance shaft sprocket bolts are not torqued very much, you can hold the sprockets with a cheap strap wrench to get them on and off.
	
	Good move on changing the oils seals, seriously!
	
	Scott
	98.5A41.8Tqm