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Old 10-03-2015, 05:31 PM   #1
MisterBlah
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Default How to remove Cam Gear Bolt. All methods.

So, as I encountered this problem like everyone else, I also happened to do many things that essentially were a waste of my time, including an hour or more just searching through the forums and searching through like 5 or 6 threads just to find a solution. So, I've decided to compile all the methods I've read about and how easy/difficult they are as well as how much they might cost you to do. Hopefully this saves you some time as well as some money in the long run.


1. How to remove the bolt without the Subaru specialty tools from Company 23 or anyone else, that is, by using the timing belt method, Moderate difficulty, longer set up time, the belt will probably slip once or twice before you get it just right. Requires more than one set of vice grips.
This video demonstrates it well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WPpfISk3cg

Obviously, with that method, I would hope you are replacing your timing belt at the same time or have an old one laying around.

First, use a 1/2" drive breaker bar. http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-15355-2-Inch-16-Inch-Breaker/dp/B00NBST5OK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1443904212&sr=8-3&keywords=1+2+breaker+bar
Second, if available, try using an impact wrench. You will of course need an air compressor for this as well. Expect to spend $300-400 to get started if you do not already have these tools.

Third, consider adding a cheater bar to your breaker bar. This can be a simple piece of 1" or 1.25" steel pipe. This is usually where the bolt will strip out if it is stuck. I have also heard of people using some http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80036-Valve-Grinding-Compound/dp/B0002UEOMS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1443904460&sr=8-3&keywords=valve+grinding+compound.

If you are able to remove all bolts with just that, you did it the least expensive way. Congratulations! It probably didn't even cost you any money if you had all the tools already. Maybe it cost $25 at most. Lucky you!
2. Using Company 23 or similar Subaru specialty tools. In the FSM, they will be mentioned as "Use the ST to lock the cam sprocket". I've found the tools to be cheapest when purchased through Rallysportdirect. They will cost $50 and $40 for the intake and exhaust tools, respectively. Easy-ish difficulty. Holding them in place may require another person or something rigid to prevent the cam gear from turning.
You might consider reading the FSM here. It's pretty simple to get everything on there. Each one only goes on one way, essentially. The Exhaust cam tool can be flipped. In general, though, this should be an issue in your attempt to find a good place to lock it in place, as you should have also moved your crankshaft to a central location so no piston is at or near TDC. This allows you the freedom to rotate your cam shafts to what angle you need.

Again, first use a breaker bar, then try to impact, then finally try a cheater bar.

You will spend $90 at least to get the tools, but it does make it a bit less of a pain in the ass, especially if you are going to be doing this again. Tools are useful, right? I tend not to account for tool cost when working on a project, so if you do that too, this is "cheapest" method.

Now, chances are, one or two bolts are stuck/stripped. Once you get to this point, there are two ways to go about it. Either with a welder, or without.

3. With a welder:
See this video from Outfront Motorsports. It will cost you $5 per axle nut. And as he mentions, it is possible to do with the engine in the car.

It will cost you about $5 per extracted bolt($5 for the axle nut+taxes or shipping).

Alternatively, you could use this method from the very beginning for all bolts. $5 per axle nut and ~$8 per cam bolt depending on where you buy them, $13 per bolt. $52 total.

If you do NOT want to replace your timing belt, don't have a spare, and want to remove all bolts the fastest, this is probably the best way to do it. I mention the timing belt bit, because, if you don't have one to destroy, it saves you from buying a new timing belt, which will cost $30-40 for a new timing belt.

4. Without a welder:

http://www.amazon.com/Drill-America-Carbide-Tipped-Conventional-16/dp/B00ARI1TK0/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1443905734&sr=1-1&keywords=7%2F16%22+carbide&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A3071286011%2Cp_85%3A2470955011 This was $26. And is available on Amazon Prime. You can work these drill bits pretty hard with a hand drill, which is why I recommend them over any other drill bit. It is very hard to dull a tungsten carbide drill bit. It will take you about 5 minutes to drill out the bolt. The head of the bolt should spin off on the drill bit, allowing you to remove the cam gear and then extract the bolt by hand. Yes, you will be able to remove what is left by hand.

Watch this video on how to cleanly drill it out. He uses a smaller drill bit(25/64") and turns the head off the bolt with his impact, so, a slightly different method than I prefer(and not easy to do if you already stripped it), but definitely clean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHEWo0GgPWE

This is what it will look like when you drill the head off the bolt.


If you went and got a cobalt steel drill bit, you can still successfully drill out the bolt, but it will take longer. You will need to be sure you keep that drill bit lubricated and cooled.

The cam must be cleaned really well since this is inside the oil chamber.

You will need a drill that can chuck a 1/2" drill bit. Some will only chuck up to 3/8".

It will cost you $26/(amount of bolts stripped) to do this method.

Alternatively, you could just use this method from the very beginning for all bolts and the total cost, all four replacement cam bolts included, will be about $60.

If you do not have a spare timing belt, no welder, and are NOT replacing the timing belt, this will be the lowest cost method. This method also requires the least physical strength and effort to do. And plus, you have the best drill bit money can buy in the 7/16" size!
I do not recommend using an easy out, a tool to remove stripped lug nuts, or anything like that. It's more effort than it's worth, and it just isn't worth the money either.

Thanks, and good luck with removing that bolt.
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Old 10-14-2015, 11:49 AM   #2
08subi2.5
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Thanks for the tips
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Old 10-14-2015, 12:16 PM   #3
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solid post and very useful info for those who haven't learned these things the hard way

I use the tools or a welder now, and the tools make life MUCH easier.
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Old 03-23-2018, 05:46 PM   #4
easy fix
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Default The Easy way to remove the 10mm allen head bolt

Here is a short video showing how to remove as long as nothing has been stripped. Super easy. I hope it helps. ~shaun

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Old 03-24-2018, 09:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by easy fix View Post
Here is a short video showing how to remove as long as nothing has been stripped. Super easy. I hope it helps. ~shaun

https://youtu.be/vd9YeLGABJk
Interesting way to do it, thanks for the video. I would think you could use this to torque the bolts up again when installing the cam gears.

Note, if clamping a timing belt like that, I would likely NOT use it on an engine again. Maybe keep an old belt around just for this task.
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Old 04-04-2018, 06:19 PM   #6
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What would the reasoning behind not just using an impact gun while the belts on, then hand thread it back in before taking the belt off? I've managed to get away with this technique on a few cars
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Old 04-04-2018, 10:25 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stpartsandservice View Post
What would the reasoning behind not just using an impact gun while the belts on, then hand thread it back in before taking the belt off? I've managed to get away with this technique on a few cars
If the engine is n the car, no room for an impact gun.
Engine out of the car, not everyone has an impact gun.
Torquing the bolts up on assembly, impact gun won't do it.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:14 PM   #8
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Default Belt on - Problem?

Any reason not to leave the belt on while using one of those Company 23 Cam holding tools to hold the cam for cam bolt removal (I already have the holding tools, I know there are other ways that I could have done this, but what can I say, I like tools)?

Most people I see do this on YouTube already have the belt off when they're removing the cam bolts, but I feel like the potential to slip and spin a cam/crash valves would be a lot less if I just left the belt on to crack the bolts loose. Of course, I could just unload the cams and then this shouldn't be a problem, but I like the idea of keeping the belt on and am trying to better understand why more people don't do it that way.
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Old 10-17-2018, 10:06 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by currancchs View Post
Any reason not to leave the belt on while using one of those Company 23 Cam holding tools to hold the cam for cam bolt removal (I already have the holding tools, I know there are other ways that I could have done this, but what can I say, I like tools)?

Most people I see do this on YouTube already have the belt off when they're removing the cam bolts, but I feel like the potential to slip and spin a cam/crash valves would be a lot less if I just left the belt on to crack the bolts loose. Of course, I could just unload the cams and then this shouldn't be a problem, but I like the idea of keeping the belt on and am trying to better understand why more people don't do it that way.
https://youtu.be/fgw9l-sUcGc

This is how I did it... Took me less than 5 minutes start to finish. Even resued the bolts.
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Old 10-17-2018, 10:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR84 View Post
https://youtu.be/fgw9l-sUcGc

This is how I did it... Took me less than 5 minutes start to finish. Even resued the bolts.
Thanks for the video/comment!
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Old 10-29-2018, 01:34 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomtom84 View Post
solid post and very useful info for those who haven't learned these things the hard way

I use the tools or a welder now, and the tools make life MUCH easier.
Couldn’t agree more It’s not worth the struggle
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Old 10-29-2018, 01:59 PM   #12
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Any comments on this video?


It sounds like all these other methods put too much strain on the internal pin on the cam gear... and FYI I've always used the old belt wrapped around the pulleys method.
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Old 12-28-2018, 02:48 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wobbletop View Post
Any comments on this video?

Subaru STI AVCS Cam Gears Tools Explained - YouTube

It sounds like all these other methods put too much strain on the internal pin on the cam gear... and FYI I've always used the old belt wrapped around the pulleys method.
I actually saw that video too. Anyone have any experience with broken pins using company 23 tools?
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Old 02-19-2019, 10:44 AM   #14
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Best method is the welder.
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Old 02-19-2019, 02:22 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadsquatch View Post
Best method is the welder.
Sorta fine for a stripped/rounded bolt, not the main gist of this thread thou.....
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Old 02-19-2019, 02:23 PM   #16
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Just thought I'd add to this that once you do get those SOBs out, switching over to TiC's FU cam bolts makes the next go around MUCH easier
https://www.iagperformance.com/TiC-F...01-03-0033.htm
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Old 03-03-2019, 01:49 PM   #17
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In process of doing this on my old EJ205. Is using the hex flats on the camshaft not the best option ????
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Old 03-04-2019, 11:01 AM   #18
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Default Probably not

Quote:
Originally Posted by hopperjon View Post
In process of doing this on my old EJ205. Is using the hex flats on the camshaft not the best option ????
My cams didn't have hex flats. The intake had a three lobe arrangement and the (plastic/non-AVCS) exhaust cam had a many-pointed nut looking thing integrated into it (sorry, don't know what to call it).

I used these tools from Company23 (not affiliated with them):
Intake: https://www.amazon.com/Company23-Sub.../dp/B06XT7X48K

Exhaust: https://www.amazon.com/Company23-Sub.../dp/B00OV8XZ0O

I also bought a high-quality allen socket (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and was glad I did, as the bolt was TIGHT! Note: I wouldn't use an impact on those bolts (cams can be fragile)...

Lastly, the intake tool from Company 23 apparently puts a lot of pressure on pins internal to the AVCS system. While I had no issues, the OEM tool, which can be found here (Subaru OEM #499977500) does not place pressure on the pins and, IMHO, is a bit safer to use.
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Old 03-17-2019, 01:08 AM   #19
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[quote=wobbletop;45827668]Any comments on this video?


Excellent video make sure you get the tool as shown from subaru or identical aftermarket (CTA Tools 7615 Camshaft holder). Not either company 23 tools, they let the avcs internally turn as you undo the allen bolt, this puts pressure on the locking position pin which breaks or bends the pin stopping avcs from working properly.
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Old 03-18-2019, 12:54 PM   #20
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lol wish i had found this sooner...had 1 stick real good, stripped it out, easy out broke (was a big one too lol) my stripped head sockets couldn't grab it well enough so used my carbide bit to get it out...
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Old 08-09-2019, 04:19 PM   #21
raisingAnarchy
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What's the thought process behind using the valve grinding compound in the OP? Do you apply the compound to the socket head so it reduces the chance of rounding out the bolt head?
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