Hi guys. Which direction to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt? clock or counter clock? Thanks, tres

 

well, i dont think a 2001 is different from our 99's, but on ours, it is counter. and that sucker is ON there. even tho the torque is like 122 ft/lbs, the first time you take it off is the best. course, i just blast it off with my 600 ft/lb impact

 

Thanks Keninn, that did the trick. needed a new impact anyway. trying to replace timing belt and can't get left timing belt cover off. manual says to remove power steering pulley but nut's locked tight, and no room for anything but a breaker bar and the belt slips at tightest setting. Any ideas?

 

well, i have always gotten the nut off with before removing the serp belt. a long time ago, i pulled the belt first, and i had to get a strap wrench, which did the trick. you can jam a strap wrench in there in a way that makes the strap tighten up as the pulley starts to turn. and that pulley has to come off to get the cover off. fun, eh? oh, and when you get it all back on, make sure that nut on the pulley is gudentite, cause i had one come off, which ruined the splines on the pump, and i had to change the pump. worse job i have EVER done. i would rather have a sharp stick in the eye than change another pump on a 2.3

 

Ok. I broke the pulley taking it off (and busted two knuckles). Didn't know it was Plastic. Finally got the left cover off after bending and prying it through the torture chamber below. Can it go back in through the top or is there an easy way? Doesn't quite clear the cam pulley with the engine mount out...Thanks, tres