Any auto mechanics in the house??

[bubbas1]

Son has a 97 Stratus and the water pump needs to be replaced. It is located behind the timing belt case. The crankshaft damper has to be removed and here is where I ran into a problem..I dont know if the threads are reversed or not for the bolt holding it on. I tried turning it both ways but stopped because I did not want it to snap off. The chilton manual dosent say which way this bolt turns to get it off. Any ideas??

Now for a short rant..how in the hell can they cram so much into such a small space. This is the absolute worst I have seen on a car. The kids power steering pump went out a few months ago and the dealer wanted $400 for labor to replace it. It took us 3 days to do it ourselves but at least the $400 was saved. Sometimes i think it may be just as easy to pull the motor to replace parts.

 

[toastonastick]

lefty loosey, righty tighty. hope that helps.

 

[neverteaseit]

well the bolt holding the pulley or dampner is usually very tight and hardly ever taken off. suggestion use a breaker bar wedged on the ground. should be right hand thread. so if this is correct then position breaker on the drivers side looking from the front of the vehicle. then bump the engine over until bolt breaks free. do not and i repeat do not fully crank engine just bump it a few times until bolt loosens. also since you are changing water pump i suggest replacing timing belt at the same time also.

 

[STEEL CITY SELECTIONS]

follow neverteasits advice, but disconnect the fuel or igintion sytem before cranking engine. very important, you do not want the engine to start when doing what he instructed...

gluck,

 

[The Boys]

drive to ghetto leave key in car run away...........

 

[Trossi3389]

drive to ghetto leave key in car run away...........

:mj07:

 

[bubbas1]

Thanks neverteasit....will give it a try. Thats a good idea about changing the timing belt also. I do not want to have to go thru this again if possible.

 

[bubbas1]

Got the bolt off and hooked the puller onto it to yank it off. Was going great until the damn thing jammed up against the frame. Motor mount bolts were removed but the motor dosent drop far enough for the damper to clear the frame. :cursin: :cursin:

Looking thru the chilton manual they show a pic of the damper on a vehicle and it looks like the sons is on backwards. If his was reversed it looks like it would come right off.

I asked him if he wanted me to just torch the frame but he didnt think it was funny.