Trouble Removing the IMS Flange

[CdnRD]

Hey folks!

I'm at the point of pulling the IMS flange on my 01S and I lost my nerve a bit. Everything I've read says that it should not take a whole lot of effort to get it off. I tried prying it and it came out a bit - the point I can see some of the orange seal - and then it doesn't seem to want to come out. So far I've:
- locked the crankshaft at TDC with the pin tool
- locked the passenger side exhaust cam with the cam tool
- removed the tensioners on the back side of the engine (passenger side and center)
- removed the center stud nut and three bolts for the flange

A few observations. I can turn the flange in the bore without a great deal of effort. When I try prying the flange it wants to turn a bit rather than come out. Might be just the angle I'm prying at. I pulled the green plug off of the driver's side exhaust cam and the slot is not quite straight up and down. I recall reading that this is not unusual, that even the factory manual's diagram isn't perfectly north/south.

A few questions:

Am I fretting over nothing? It may be just a matter of putting a little more effort into it.
Is there anything you see about my steps so far that looks obviously wrong?
Should I be concerned about the position of the driver's side exhaust cam?

Thanks for looking!
RD

[Tweedboru]

Hi, you're nearly there
Use two jemmy bars or large screwdrivers at either side (eg 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock)
then with steady prying pressure applied place a piece of copper,aluminium,or hardwood on center bolt and give it a light tap with a hammer not too hard and the cover should come off. you may need a friend to help as a 3rd hand, you nod your head and he will hit it LOL.
You can easily make a puller to pull the bearing out by using the center bolt.
Regards Brian

[Gelbster]

Be careful using steel pry bars on an aluminum alloy surface. The problem is not the flat part of the steel ,it is the edges.
W/o a photo of how far you've got it is difficult to advise but is there space to attach a slide hammer ? That would be much more controlled force.
Can you feel if the obstruction is a solid metal to metal one or is it just the springiness of the lips of the seal around the flange?
Hopefully you have the full set of Instructions?

[WorkInProgressK]

Like he said, slide hammer or pry it from all 3 flanges at the time.

You need to pull it out straight to have the less resistance. Prying one side at a time induces a rotational force and binds the parts together.

[CdnRD]

Looks like my problem was not applying even pressure on the pry bars. I gave it another try and it came off okay. The effort was more than I had expected but not too difficult.