Cam locking tool

blk05liberty · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2016 3:54 pm

Question on the tool. Does it have to be specific to our engine? Has anyone rented one from their local parts place? I see O rielly has a couple different ones to rent out. Im doing a timing belt, and doing the water pump as well.

APC9199 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:20 pm

If you're doing the water pump, don't even bother with the cam locking tool. The cams have to be removed to get the rear timing cover off so it won't do you any good other than holding the cams (poorly, in my opinion) in place while you torque them. You would be better to buy or make a pulley/sprocket wrench and the timing pins required to set the factory timing. This is the method I prefer REGARDLESS of whether I'm doing the water pump since it guarantees perfect timing if done correctly. The writup is in the Tech section and explains everything very well. I would recommend reading it entirely at least once before even planning out the tools you need.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:26 pm

There are also a five part YouTube video worth watching that is very helpful in showing you all the hows....
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o_FJpBEKjk
Some opt to skip the front end removal part as the timing belt replacement can be done without removing all of those parts....

dskater411 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:41 pm

FWIW, I made my own cam locking pins and sprocket holding tool, but the holding tool turned out to be kind of flimsy and was frustrating, ended up renting a generic sprocket holder from autozone and it worked great.

peteyz24 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 5:29 am

I made a cam gear holding tool out of a 18" section of 1"x1"x.188" aluminum angle and a couple 5/16" bolts. Worked pretty good. The plastic p.o.s. I borrowed from oreilly was cracked when I pulled it out of the case

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk

Ceearedeedriver · **Joined:** Fri May 06, 2016 8:44 pm **Posts:** 177

If you don't have access to the Miller tool a generic 2 pin counterhold tool is best. Either home made or bought. Something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Camsh ... 1824045216 or this http://bedroom-workshop.com/306tools/30 ... tml#tool13 . Most other locking tools are too weak for this application.

blk05liberty · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 12:34 pm

ok cool, thanks guys. Ill make something for when I torque the cam sprockets down.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

Just rent the tool. You're going to invest time and money into doing this. Do it right the first time, or don't do it at all. There are plenty of guys on this board that have "gone rouge" during their timing belt change, only to come back and complain about the motor "not sounding quite right" or "gas mileage down" because their timing is off half a tooth.

The pins only ensure that your camshafts are in the correct position during the change. They do nothing to ensure that the cam sprockets are correct relative to crank or each other (the cam sprockets aren't keyed). You know what does ensure that? The tools that are designed specifically for our vehicles.

The factory tools hold the cam sprockets VERY well IF they are in the proper position. If the tool's tooth is only halfway engaging, guess what, your timing is off.

blk05liberty · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 9:34 pm

Where to rent the tool? Gde doesn't have it for rent that I saw.

blk05liberty · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 9:39 pm

I see sasquatchparts has it, but Holy Moses, $600!!

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:49 pm

That's mostly a deposit for if you break it or don't return it. Return it in good condition, you get I believe all but $100 back.

Ceearedeedriver · **Joined:** Fri May 06, 2016 8:44 pm **Posts:** 177

blk05liberty wrote:

I see sasquatchparts has it, but Holy Moses, $600!!

From his website https://shop.sasquatchparts.com/product ... -cam-tool/ the cost is $699.95 but most of it is refundable. BTW, that number is pretty representative of the replacement value that set of tools.
• 14-day rental (not including time in transit)
• FREE return shipping!
• Rental fee: $99.95
• Refundable deposit: $600

...and it does include everything you need apart from a means to take off the fan. I guess I shouldn't downplay the importance of the "correct" tools as a confidence builder for first timers. However if you want to do it on the cheap many of us, myself included 3X on this engine, have replaced the belt with minimalist home made or generic tools.

xhizzous · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2016 11:07 am

where are you located blk05liberty ? If you were anywhere near me I might be able to hlep you.

Jsamps1345 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2016 11:17 am

Same here, If your in the northeast i can also help, i have the full set of miller tools. Not sure where you are located though.

Brasher · **Joined:** Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:02 pm **Posts:** 80

I've rented from GDE and Sasquatch parts in the past. Good experiences from both. It seems like you are right, GDE doesn't list them anymore.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

Right now the Miller VM.1085 retails between $687.23 and $701.25. Right now there is only 1 on eBay, listed for $694.10. Mopar dealership price is $561.00.

^ That's why we charge a $600 deposit.

Rental is $100 for 14-days and includes a free return shipping label. Easy.

Includes the VM.1085 cam lock tool, camshaft pins, flywheel pin and tensioner wrench.

blk05liberty · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2016 1:07 pm

Thanks for all the responses. I'm in Wisconsin btw

HER_CRD · **Posted:** Wed Oct 12, 2016 10:01 pm

What part of Wisconsin? I'll be doing the timing belt here myself shortly.

joelukex4 · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 4:54 pm **Posts:** 386

Where are all these Wisconsin CRD's? I'm all over the state and never see them on the road. I've only seen my brothers and Bugnout on the road and he is from IL.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Oct 13, 2016 1:57 pm

weeks101 wrote:

Right now the Miller VM.1085 retails between $687.23 and $701.25. Right now there is only 1 on eBay, listed for $694.10. Mopar dealership price is $561.00.

^ That's why we charge a $600 deposit.

Rental is $100 for 14-days and includes a free return shipping label. Easy.

Includes the VM.1085 cam lock tool, camshaft pins, flywheel pin and tensioner wrench.

X2.

I've loaned my Tools on a few occasions and some people have balked at the deposit.......thats what the deposit is for, to replace it in case you dont.

Cam locking tool

Who is online