Timing belt, the A.C. Bracket

I'm thinking of diving into the timining belt replacement and I wonder why so much hate over removing the ac bracket?

Also I haven't found any good info on removing it, the workshop manual makes it look simple

Bluelogic

 

for me it all about how the AC lines come off the compressor, sometimes you cant get a socket on one of the front ones, too tight to get off with fingers so it has to be loosened 1/4 turn at a time.

 

Did you use the swivil head trick? Also I thought you didn't have to remove the lines, just the ac and then the bracket.

It just seams crazy to put tape on a swivil into a dark hole and Pray you make contact let alone are able to torque it back up

Thanks
Bluelogic

 

You do not need to remove the A/C, the A/C lines, the compressor or anything else associated with the A/C to get the timing belt / waterpump etc done.

The part that is hard to get at, because of the A/C, is the hydraulic tensioner. If you remove the 2 10mm bolts on the starter wire braket (on the front, just below the crank pulley) it should give you enough room to access the back bolt on the tensioner, from underneath, with a 12 inch extension and a swivel.

 

Yes, coming from underneath, it's never been in my way. I use wobble extensions for everything nowadays anyway so sometimes I never even notice what gives others fits.

 

Ok I guess we will find out. This is the part that worries me the most. I got a nice long breaker bar for the crankshaft.

 

I just did the belt/pump last weekend. Here's some of what I ran in to... and links to good vids on it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aluminum-radiator-install-w-timing-and-pump.536687/

 

So how did you get the back bolt off the tensisoner? Also you made it scarier.

Bluelogic

 

Lol... no, I wouldn't let that scare you. The front one was real tight. Easy to get to, but extremely tight. I used a bolt extractor like these

https://m.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-BOLT-G...SDwdO11F1TW70tgHKbydPfMtoK157cs4aAuIOEALw_wcB

For the back bolt... it was actually really easy. You just move the starter wire loom out of your way, get under the truck, and slide the 12 inch extension with a swivel and a 12mm socket on it, up in there. When you get the socket on the bolt, you can actually have someone feel it from the top, to make sure the socket is on... you can get your fingers back there from the top to ensure you're good to go.

 

Alright. so the full story. I got a 2003 Limited Edition Access Cab (95K Miles) for $9000 and I figure since it is my backup car I just go all out. I see the timing belt replacement can lead to a lot of side projects such as: replace the radiator entirely (oem is not too expensive), cam seals, accessory belts, tensioner, oil change, tranny filter, Magnetic Inline Transmission filter, tranny fluid change, thermostat, spark plugs and wires, water pump. Do you think since I'm taking everything off for the timing belt I might as well do all those as well? Is there anything else I'm missing.

 

No need to do the cam seals (around the camshafts - not the round plugs where the cam shaft would go if the head was swapped sides - you can replace those if you want while doing a valve cover re-seal) unless they're leaking.

 

Buy this kit

And also buy th e crank pulley bolt (about $12 bucks at the dealer). That will get you all the parts (that are basically wear items) that need to be removed anyway to get to the waterpump.

All the other stuff you mentioned are things to consider as maintenence... but they don't necessarily have to be done while doing the timing belt.

 

Hey, I have the 4.7L engine with AC and that says 3.4L

 

If you have a 4.7 you need Tundra parts. There aren't any 4.7 Tacomas... unless you've done a really major engine swap.

 

How many spark plugs do you have? 4.7 there will be 8.

 

Hmmm, maybe I should check to see if I have the 4.7, too - that would be sweet

 

wow, talk about being a noob and posting in the tacoma world forum =(

 

It's all good - most of the moderators don't have a Tacoma either lol

 

I think the 4.7 has a timing chain, I could be wrong, and if it does you definitely don't have to replace it especially at 95,000 miles

 

It has a timing belt.