Hello everyone,

I was changing the water pump on my 92 miata and found the cam and crank seals are leaking. I've read lots of guides on timing belt and water pump replacement for the miata, and all of them mention to use a couple pry bars to pull the crank timing gear off. I've tried many solutions that have all failed. Right now half of the inner lip on the gear is broken off from the pry bar. I have a new gear ordered already, but I need to get the old one off first.

I tried using a wheel puller, but the ends are always too big to fit behind the gear. I'm pretty sure the gear is rusted onto the end of the crank. I've put about half a can of WD-40 all around it but still no luck.

I realized yesterday that there are two screw holes in the front so maybe a harmonic balancer removal tool could work. I found the proper screw size, but haven't found any tools with that size screw. I tried making a home made tool with the proper screws, but the screws ending up bending before the gear gave up its hold on the crank.

Anyone have any ideas how to remove it?

Thanks,
Mike

 

You did remove the large 21mm bolt in the center right?

One thing I have used when the WD-40 fails is to heat the pulley up with a torch. The heat should not damage anything except the crank seal which you are replacing anyway as long as you keep a close watch on where the flame is going. Once it is good and hot then get a bit of candle wax and apply to the seized area. If the pulley is hot enough then the wax will melt and flow in between the crank nose and pulley. The heat helps loosen the rust and parafin in the wax is an excellent lubricant. The heated pulley will also expand with the heat and hopefully let go.