R32 Water Pump Removal

[tsterls]

Hi

I am just wondering if there is a special way to remove the water pump in my RB20 R32?

So far I have taken off the alternator, p/s, and ac belts, and removed the top cambelt cover. i've also taken off the clutch fan and removed the radiator to give myself some more room.

My next problem is that I think I need to remove the bottom timing belt cover, which i've undone, but can't get it out because of the Main engine pulley being in the way. I can't get the main engine pulley off because the engine is turning over, even with the car in gear and on the ground. To stop the engine turning over I think I need to block the ring gear, which means I'd have to remove the starter motor.

I'm finding it really hard to believe that I have to remove my starter motor to change my water pump. Is this correct? Is there something that I'm missing? Or another way to do it? Beacuse i'm having incredible difficulty even getting the starter motor out, the car is a GTS4 and there is alot of crap down there making it hard.

Sorry for the long post, does anyone have any insight or guidance on how to overcome all of my problems?

Thanks

[Duncan]

engine in gear and handbrake on hard should do the trick.

some people put a breaker bar against the subframe and crank the motor once or twice using the starter to crack the bolt (disconnect the cas first so it doesnt start lol)

[tsterls]

engine in gear and handbrake on hard should do the trick.

Tried that, but I now have a feeling that maybe the springs in the centre of the clutch might of been taking up all the movement I was putting in, coz the engine was returning back to its original position when I released the force, so i'll try to turn it further

some people put a breaker bar against the subframe and crank the motor once or twice using the starter to crack the bolt (disconnect the cas first so it doesnt start lol)

This sounds like it might just be crazy enough to work

[Craved]

MAke sure you position the breaker in the right spot so it doesnt fly around..

or just use the in gear and handbrake option with a rattle gun

[tacker]

Need two people for the breaker bar trick but it does work.

[FOG35]

Find a round metal pole that will just fit over the handle of the ratchet you are using. The longer the metal pole the easier it will be to turn. (make sure the car is in gear with handbreak on)

You shouldnt have needed to remove the alternator to remove the water pump. You will also need a pully puller to remove the harmonic balancer.