E36 318iS oil seal

[Solo Man]

How difficult is it to replace the oil seal on the pulley side of the crank on the E36 318iS? Seems as if mine has started leaking there and i would like to replace the seal. I think i have read somewhere that the bolt holding the pulley onto the crank is quite a tough one to loosen. Is that correct? Is there a special tool to hold the pulley/crank in position when you loosen the nut or is it something you can loosen by putting the car in gear and have someone step on the brakes while i loosen the nut? Fortunately there is quite a lot of room between the engine and the radiator.

 

[Solo Man]

Would it be possible to jam a tommy bar into the toothed gear that is around the crank pulley and then undo the main bolt from the pulley. I do not see a sensor or pickup anywhere so i assume the toothed gear is for 328 motors, so should not be a problem to use it to keep the pulley stationary while i undo the main bolt??

 

[Solo Man]

Hi Guys, please help me out here! Is that a reverse thread on the main bolt on the crankshaft that is holding the pulley? My local mecchie tells me they fit a socket and long power arm onto the nut and then use the starter to give it a jolt so the power arm hits on the floor and breaks the grip of the nut. Else they open up the covers on the flywheel and lock that in order to loosen the nut. (Forgot to ask him about the reverse thread)

 

[Mr.k]

thread bump

When removing the oil seal what other parts need to be changed? must a new bolt be used? a new hub?

 

[Mr.k]

Hellooo