Note: The crankshaft can only be removed after the engine has been removed from the vehicle. This assumes that the flywheel or drive plate, crankshaft pulley, timing belt, oil pan, oil pump and piston/connecting rod assemblies have already been removed. The rear crankshaft oil seal cover must be unscrewed and disconnected before removing the crankshaft.
1. Before removing the crankshaft, check its axial play. Place the micrometer with the rod along the crankshaft so that it touches one of the crankshaft counterweights (see illustration).
14.1. Checking the crankshaft axial play with a micrometer
2. Move the crankshaft all the way back and set the micrometer to zero. Then move the crankshaft all the way forward and note the indicator reading. The distance the crankshaft has moved is the axial play. If the play exceeds the value specified in specifications of this Chapter, check the wear of the crankshaft thrust surfaces. If there is no wear, then new thrust rings must be installed to correct the axial play.
3. If you do not have a micrometer, you can use feeler gauges. Move the crankshaft forward until it stops. To measure the clearance, insert the feeler gauges between the crankshaft and the front surface of the main thrust bearing (see illustration).
4. On four-cylinder engines, check that the bearing cap markings correspond to their installation locations. They should be numbered sequentially from the front of the engine to the rear. If they are not marked, mark them with a center punch. The main bearing caps usually have arrows cast into them that point to the front of the engine (see illustration). Loosen the main bearing cap bolts 1/4 turn at a time until they can be removed by hand.
14.4. The arrows on the main bearing caps point to the front of the engine (to the toothed belt)
5. Tap the caps gently with a soft hammer to loosen them from the cylinder block. If necessary, use the bolts as leverage to loosen the caps. Be careful not to drop the bearings if they come out with the caps.
6. Carefully lift the crankshaft out of the engine. It is best to have an assistant help you, as the crankshaft is quite heavy. With the cylinder block liners and covers installed, put the covers back in their original place on the cylinder block and tighten the bolts finger tight.