Impact gun

[MikeG]

Is it OK to use an impact gun for removing the crank pinion and cam nut? The manual says steady even pressure on the cam nut but I have no easy way secure the cases and put enough pressure on the breaker bar to loosen it. Again! I'M TALKING TAKING THEM OFF ONLY NOT REASSEMBLY.

 

[concours]

Easy to provide counter torque with a chunk of aluminum the right length in a sprocket tooth, over against any convenient solid point.

YES to impact wrench on the crank, because inertia works.

NO to the cam, until you've braced the sprocket as described.

 

[htown16]

Do you have the pistons off? If so put a bar through the small ends and a couple of pieces of wood on top of the cases and lock the crank. You really should be using one of these to support the intermediate shaft. If you do, an impact gun on both should be no problem. It's what I always used.

Andover Norton - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SUPPORT PLATE TOOL - 06.7325

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SUPPORT PLATE TOOL

andover-norton.co.uk

 

[kommando]

If your cam is chilled cast iron then you risk losing the end of it if you use a rattle gun on the nut, even though you are untightening.

 

[elefantrider]

Unless you are doing this every week or month, I'd recommend following the manual.

I use a perfectly-sized dowl in one of the balance holes of the crank, and a little duct tape to act as padding to protect the case as it comes into contact. I prefer this method instead of a wood/aluminum dowl through the rod small ends (per manual), or locking up the sprockets.

 

[marshg246]

Is it OK to use an impact gun for removing the crank pinion and cam nut? The manual says steady even pressure on the cam nut but I have no easy way secure the cases and put enough pressure on the breaker bar to loosen it. Again! I'M TALKING TAKING THEM OFF ONLY NOT REASSEMBLY.

I do, but with three caveats:
1) You must have the AN tool or similar to support the intermediate gear shaft
2) Be VERY careful that you don't go the wrong way!
3) I only use an air gun that is pretty weak. I also have an electric 1/2" drive impact wrench that is strong enough that one time I used it on the sleeve gear nut but went the wrong way - a 1/2 second blip was enough to spin the nut the wrong way and destroy it and the sleeve gear.