6 hours into trying to remove the waterpump clutch bolt..

[Kozworth]

Ok guys, me and a friend are trying to get this timing belt in my 88 325is with the m20. We tried fora good 3 hours last night, we cannot get this damn bolt off. The imfamous reverse threaded 32mm one.

Facing the car and the windshield, we are turning it clockwise. We tried wedging a screwdriver, numerous things, all of which have just bent.

I pb blasted the nut numerous times. I tried hitting the wrench with a quick hit w/ a rubber mallet. I tried holding the pump in place with the belt tensioned a lot and no cigar.

Please help me get this nut off. My mom is going into freak out mode because I have to borrow her car...

[e30trooper]

YOur talking about the nut that holds on the fan clutch? This is easy , get some vice grips clamp one side of the waterpump pully ( let it rest on somthing ) then take that shit off.

[jlevie]

Shock often works where a steady force fails. Have someone hold a large flat blade screwdriver against the pulley bolts. Place the wrench on the nut, apply tension, and then hit the end of the wrench a hard blow with a hand sledge. A small hammer won't do, it takes the mass of a hand sledge. The screwdriver needs to be about 18" long and have a blade at least 5/8" wide.

If that doesn't work, cut the water pump shaft to get the fan out. The put everything back together with a new clutch and water pump.

[Kozworth]

Where are you supposed to find a screwdriver long but skinny enough. Ive bent countless drivers.

Im a built guy and i cant even get this thing to budge. Time for the hand sledge.

[Kershaw]

e36 m3. same concept.

[nebulous123]

get one of these...

Craftsman 36 in. Screwdriver Pry Bar

...stick it under the pulley and above the nut. then get the 32mm flat wrench ready and use a rubber mallet and hammer away.

done.

[Kozworth]

ok guys i got it out, told it whos boss. I got wpump and tensioner pully. I got 2 gaskets for the wpump. I only need one right?

[Jette_man]

This is one of the times that I love air tools. An air hammer and a 12" pointed bit. It will knock it off every time. If you don't have a compressor and don't plan on getting one those craftsman strap wrenches work well if you take the belt off first.

[Nsquared97]

This is one of the times that I love air tools. An air hammer and a 12" pointed bit. It will knock it off every time. If you don't have a compressor and don't plan on getting one those craftsman strap wrenches work well if you take the belt off first.

Strap wrench+ 32mm wrench and hammer is what I used, worked great.

[Cletonius]

ok guys i got it out, told it whos boss. I got wpump and tensioner pully. I got 2 gaskets for the wpump. I only need one right?

yep, one gasket and no sealer of any kind. Just scrape the block with a razor blade and scuff with a scotch brite pad before you button it up.

[gorilla]

32mm and a deadblow hammer