As title says....I'm fitting a new water pump (2.0 Zetec Silvertop) and need to get the water pump/auxiliary belt pulley off. Obviously, when you attach a socket and turn, the engine just turns over, even in gear with the hand brake on. Is there a secret to holding the pulley while pressure is applied to the socket or will I have to find someone who can lend me a cordless Snap On impact driver thingy?

There is a special tool for doing it, it looks like a plate with holes in it that fit over the bolts and a handle to stop the pulley rotating whilst undoing the bolts.

However most people just jam a long screwdriver between two of the bolts to stop it rotating whilst undoing a third.

yep, strong screwdriver across two bolts, loosen the third.

repeat for all bolts.

In the past I have used two spanners and find that one bolt will usually let go, then onto the next, so two loose, screw out sufficiently to support the screwdriver then attack the last one. I prefer a piece of flat bar to a screwdriver, tends to save my fingers...

Ah, I have been a complete numpty!!!!

What I MEANT to say was.....I need to remove my water pump but I cant get the CRANK PULLEY off!!!!

This has just one central nut!

Stick a sturdy but old scredriver in the teeth of the fly wheel.

and in gear, with the handbrake on.

EDIT: sorry, presuming its in a car. if not then its a case of jamming the flywheel as mentioned. I used the floor and a crowbar!

[Edited on 27/1/14 by Norfolkluegojnr]

If the engine is out I bend a bit of steel bar into a V shape that meshes with the teeth of the flywheel. Then turn the crank until it wedges against a bell housing bolt.

Stu

It seems the wording of the first post is that it is in the car. hand brake/gear isnt working - clutch could slip if its really tight.
IfF theres no obvious inspection panel to get to the flywheel, then whip the starter motor off and jam somthing in there.

shouldn't slip much if its in gear and the handbrake is applied?

what gear have you got it in? i've always been told 5th is the best......

SORTED! Wedged screwdriver in the flywheel and the nut freed itself with no problem.....thanks guys!