S6 Crankshaft nut for pinion

[Kalle]

Hello
I'll split the crankcase when I have an oil leak and have to disassemble the engine.
Does anyone know if this is a lock bolt  to pinion gear nut?  Must this be removed before the pinion gear nut to be loosened.
Is lock bolt  / nut for pinion gear right or left hand thread?
Grateful for answers
BR Kalle

[Dewey]

Hi Kallie.
The nut is right hand thread and normally locked with a tab washer. If you're clever, you may be able to pull off the gear with screwdrivers, brake adjuster spoons or the like but it probably won't move unless you have equal and opposite forces on either side of the gear. You can make a puller if you have access to a lathe. I found a battery terminal puller, the more expensive type, worked well for me. The gear of course is keyed to the shaft and is a light press fit. You may be tempted to remove the locating screw for the timing side bearing bush and withdraw the whole assembly to be dealt with later, but I wouldn't recommend that. The case itself is quite thin in that area and is always looking for an excuse to crack when an unusual force occurs. You don't want that - trust me.

Dewey

[Kalle]

Hi Dewey
Thank you for a good job description and now I dare to continue dismantling.
Then the nut has the strange design of the outward end with the strange key
grip as I thought that it was some type of locking screw to pinion nut
Do you know why it looks the way it does with the parallel key grip.
Good tips! using battery terminal puller, and not remove the bushing you informing me.
BR Kalle

[Kalle]

Hi Dewey
Now when I removed the nut, I see that it's crankshaft end having this special design, why?
Br Kalle

[Doug]

Not sure why, it does not engage with anything.

-Doug

[Bert]

I think the end of the pinion is designed so a spanner will fit and hod it from turning whilst one tightens the pinion nut. Mine had been rounded through use so I had to grind a slit for a screwdriver for that purpose. 

Bert