Trying to remove the harmonic balancer on my 98 SSEi but cant seem to figure how to keep the crank pulley from turning.

What is the easiest way to do this?

You can wrap a belt around the HB and waterpump pulley so that it tightens on itself and hold it in place. Or find a way to hold the flexplate.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

I have no clue how to hold the flexplate. My try the first the first idea, thanks.

Any other suggestions?

Flexplate (aka flywheel) is the large gear that the starter engages with to turn over the engine. Should be a small (plastic IIRC) cover near the starter that you can remove to view the flexplate. I find a little heat from a propane torch helps get the HB bolt out from the crank.

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2006 Chevy Monte Carlo SS

Remember that heat burns the rubber face, so if this balancer isn't bad and you're removing it for another reason, flame would be bad.

Remove the plastic cover beneath where the engine and trans bolt together. It's actually a 2-piece cover, three 10mm socket head bolts. One forward, two below IIRC. Then stick a socket extension through one hole in the flexplate so it jams up against the under side of the motor as you try to break the bolt free. Think about the direction it will turn when you do this.

You will likely need a cheater pipe or long breaker bar. If you have an impact wrench, you don't even need to hold the flexplate. Tightening is the reverse.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you borrowed or rented or purchased a puller (I hope you did, you need one), the bolts are NOT likely in the kit. You need three M6 bolts to thread into the balancer. If you use the wrong thread pitch, you WILL strip out the holes and cause a major headache.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

I was able to get the crank bolt off and as you stated the threaded bolts that came with the puller kit are too big for the holes in the balancer.

So I got some 1/4"-20 bolts from Home Depot but the probleming I'm having is that I only see two 1/4" holes in the balancer and no 3rd hole. What should I do? Think I should use the claw type puller device instead?

There only 3 open slots in the HB and the bolt holes are directly in the center of those but recessed.

You have to use the correct bolts. If you need something to match it to, it's the same thread as the upper intake to lower intake bolts. I just use 3 of the longer ones usually near the throttle body since I have them laying around.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

Found 2 of the recessed holes, couldn't find the 3rd. I'll look at it again tomorrow when I get better lighting outside.

I've done it twice with no problem. Normal propane torch with the flame directly on the head of bolt. Heated it up less than a minute & the previously stuck bolts came right out. I think it's just enough to soften that reddish orange goo on the bolt.

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2006 Chevy Monte Carlo SS

Maybe this will help you - from techinfo.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=8267

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*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

DO NOT USE THOSE 1/4-20 BOLTS! 1/4-28 would be closer, but both will strip out your balancer. Get the correct bolts like I already posted. I had to remove one in my shop from a 2k Bonneville that had used the wrong bolts before, and it was a NASTY trick to get it off the motor, and the motor was out of the car at the time.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Simplest way....loosen lug nuts on the passenger wheel, jack up car on passenger side front,set jack stand, remove passenger wheel, remove splash shield on the inner fender wall, loosen serpentine belts off the balancer, use an electric impact tool to remove crank bolt, use Lisle puller 45300 to remove harmonic balancer (Sears sells it). Installation is the reversal of the above steps. I used my inpact driver to set the crank bolt back on. I'm a 2-2.5 on the mech scale and it took me less than an hour! Be sure you put the belts back on straight...it'll squeal if you don't....ask me how I know!

I just pulled mine today to replace the crank position sensor. I found this video on youtube on how to remove the balance nut and for me it worked with only one quick crank of the key. BUT I don't know if there are any negatives to doing this this way. I tried an impact first but it was not getting to bolt lose so I went ahead and tried this video and it worked.

If anyone knows and negatives doing it this way please post up.
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_-FsVvNr40

AND as already stated above, I used 6M bolts and they fix perfect.

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2002 Buick Lesabre Custom L36 Titanium Blue Metallic/Medium Gray Cloth
2004 Buick Lesabre Custom L36 White/Graphite Gray Cloth
2015 SS Roof, Spare & 6M 6.2L LS3 415HP/415TQ SLIHRM/Jet Black Leather-Red Stitching
2010 Silverado LTZ Crew 4x4 6.2L L9H 417HP/403TQ NHT Black Granite Metallic/Ebony Leather
2013 Enclave Premium AWD 3.6L LLT White Diamond Tricoat/Cocoa Leather
2001 Wellcraft Martinique 2400 Merc 5.7L BIII 327hrs

1995 Bonneville SSE L36 Dark Polo Green Metallic **R.I.P. 4/28/10 236,400 miles**

A little late, but thanks for the thoughts anyway. Most electric impacts don't stand a chance if the crank bolt is properly torqued. 95% of the bolts out there will require a HIGH quality pneumatic impact or a breaker bar with a cheater pipe.

Edit:

Don't follow that YouTube video. That's the most dangerous method out there. Use the proper tools in the proper manner for removing the bolt.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Yep, an electric impact did not work for me.

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2002 Buick Lesabre Custom L36 Titanium Blue Metallic/Medium Gray Cloth
2004 Buick Lesabre Custom L36 White/Graphite Gray Cloth
2015 SS Roof, Spare & 6M 6.2L LS3 415HP/415TQ SLIHRM/Jet Black Leather-Red Stitching
2010 Silverado LTZ Crew 4x4 6.2L L9H 417HP/403TQ NHT Black Granite Metallic/Ebony Leather
2013 Enclave Premium AWD 3.6L LLT White Diamond Tricoat/Cocoa Leather
2001 Wellcraft Martinique 2400 Merc 5.7L BIII 327hrs

1995 Bonneville SSE L36 Dark Polo Green Metallic **R.I.P. 4/28/10 236,400 miles**