How to Remove a Honda Crankshaft Bolt Safely and Easily

Learn the easy and safe way to remove a Honda crankshaft bolt

If you’re working on a Honda timing belt replacement, your biggest obstacle may be removing the crankshaft bolt. Honda tightens the bolt to a specific torque and it can be difficult to loosen due to the high compression forces involved. If you don’t have the right tool, it’s going to be a huge job.

Here’s how not to do it

Some DIYers try removing the crankshaft bolt using a breaker bar and a socket. They connect the socket to the bolt and wedge the breaker bar against the concrete floor. Then, they turn the key and “bump” the starter motor. The quick snapping force can sometimes break the bolt loose, but it can also crack the end of your crankshaft. Then, instead of saving a few hundred bucks on a timing belt change, you’ll be spending a few thousand dollars on a new engine.

Here’s the easiest way to do it

Here’s the method I recommend; buy a crankshaft pulley holding socket. The tool fits into the oversize hex cutout on the Honda pulley. The center of the tool is hollow so you can fit your regular crankshaft socket onto the bolt. Attach a long ½” breaker bar to the holding tool and use another ½” breaker bar to remove the crankshaft bolt. This is a tool that only gets used once every 60,000-90,000 miles, but is worth every penny. You can find the holding tool used on ebay for as little as $6.

Insert the pulley holding tool into the hex shape of the crankshaft pulley. Hold the tool with one hand while using a socket and ratchet with the other

© 2012 Rick Muscoplat

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