Holy $%!T! I'm glad this thread was up! I spent 1/2 hour trying to do this then looked up on here. After reading it took me 5 minutes to take off the water pump pulley. I used a 1/4 ratchet with 10mm socket on the bolt towards the front of the car and a closed 10mm wrench on a bolt on the opposite end (2 bolts to the left). The trick is when you get to the last bolt, the bolt you're using as leverage will tighten, but not as tight as before. So after getting 3 bolts loose, the last bolt I just held onto the pulley with my hand (helps to have latex gloves on) and loosen it.

 

was anybody able to use the hole in the wheel well to access these bolts? I noticed the plug and removed it but i couldn't get any of the bolts on the pulley to be inline enough with the hole to use a ratchet. It would be nice because then i could just use an impact wrench and blast them off.

 

I dont see how the hole in the frame could let you get to the waterpump bolts. You would have to remove more than one engine mount imo.

I just used a 10mm open wrench while the belt was still on. Its a ***** for sure, but it can be done.

 

I performed the old break it loose while tightening another bolt trick. With this, it stops the bolt pulley from spinning and you can get all four bolts backed out enough that you can go back for a second pass and remove them without any type of restraint.

 

For the last bolt I just used an extra longer bolt and a metal zip tie i've been saving for whatever. I strapped it on the engine mount bracket

 

4 year bump. Solid.

 

Yes. At this point people (like me) are just googling for answers

 

Having done this a few times now, a strap wrench is the answer.

 

well, we can't yell at people for not searching AND yell at them for bumping old threads :P

i wrap the smooth end of the serpentine belt around and just pull on that. works every time. because i'm too lazy to get the proper tool LOL

 

Maybe I have small hands or something but I never found removing the pulley to be difficult at all. And I can see a strap wrench working well for this. I've been able to just use my old serpentine belt to hold it and back off the bolts...

Arg Kaj beat me to it. And yeah I forgot but I too flipped it upside down for extra friction surfaces so it has more grip.

 

oh, and it seems like removing the passenger engine mount helps. i used a jack to raise the front of the engine up. makes it a lot easier also.

 

Yep passenger side mount has to come out in my experience. Block of wood on the oil pan and you've got plenty of clearance with a 1/4" ratchet. Break the bolt loose spin the pulley rinse and repeat

 

yup. i even use a 10mm box-end wrench. i put it on the bolt then spin the pulley while i hold the wrench. spins off in seconds. plus it looks like a choo choo train.

 

I have a 12" long 1/4" drive matco ratchet that works perfectly for it. Shallow socket fits in between the frame and pulley, and I just hold the pulley with my other hand.