I will change the timing belt on a 1998 2.5TL soon. I would appreciate knowing if the crankshaft nut is right hand thread or left hand thread. In other words, do I turn it counterclockwise or clockwise to remove it. Also, if someone could tell me the torque spec to replace it would help. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Turn counter-clockwise to loosen it, and torque to 181 lbs-ft.

 

Because of limited access (radiator) you will need the Honda Crankshaft (Harmonic Balancer) Restraint Tool to restrain the engine from turning while you loosen the crankshaft bolt. Tool is available for $30-$40 from ebay, Amazon, and others.

Place a cardboard protection cover (masking tape holds in place) over the radiator surface to avoid dinging the radiator during your work.

I've found that I need a good 18", 1/2" breaker bar and a 3-ft length of 1" pipe to slip over the breaker bar for added leverage. This gives you about 4-ft of leverage. You still need perhaps 150-lbf pull on the cheater pipe to break the bolt. A deep 19mm socket is req'd to reach the bolt through the restraint tool and crankshaft pulley. A 2nd, 18" x 1/2" breaker bar restrains the special tool against the bodyframe on the drivers side.

good luck

 

Thank-you both.

 

TexasHonda, I have a tool that I used when the timing belt was replaced on my son's 2000 Honda Accord V6 to hold the crankshaft. It is hex shaped. The Acura crank pulley looks different. Will the same tool hold the Acura crankshaft pulley? Maybe it's hex shaped inside but I can't tell.

 

It should work fine, if it's 50mm across the flats. I used the same tool I purchased for 2.2L, 4-cylinder Honda Accord TB work w/o problems. I was initially concerned because opening looks different. I think it's differnt to allow the tool to be inserted/removed at an angle due to limited space from the radiator.

good luck

 

This crankshaft pulley tool works on a 98 Acura TL 2.5 $15.29
Powerbuilt 648796 Honda Crankcase Pulley Removal Tool