Water pump /harmonic removal on W123 280E

[inyankuni]

I have a 1985 280E. I cannot undo the harmonic balancer on the crankshaft in order to remove the water pump.

Is is counter clockwise or clockwise to undo the bolt on the cranckshaft?

In order to stop the rotation of the engine, I made a tool to bolt onto the balancer, with a lever arm from this tool onto the ground. But the crankshaft bolt seems solid.

A few years ago I replaced the water pump on another 81 280E (I liked the car so much I replaced it with this one which is in much better overall condition). However, then I had no problems at all, and did not even have to think about making this tool, or which direction it is to undo it. This one is really tight.

Advice greatly appreciated.

 

[DuncanClarke]

Hi
I recently changed the water pump on my W123 280ce 1984 and encountered no problems in that area. I didn't need to remove the crankshaft bolt, just the 4 (or is it 6?) allen headed bolts which hold the balancer on to the crankshaft pulley. These were a bit seized and I had to hammer a socket over the screws to indo them. After that, I could just tap the balancer away from the crankshaf and undo the remaining water pump bolts.
Duncan
Duncan

 

[inyankuni]

Thanks Duncan, no wonder I never had problems before - it was several years ago. Quite embarrasing, proves that you are never too old to learn a new way of being stupid.