going to change my timing belt in the next few weeks, just wondering if anyone here has done it on the RX330 and have any tips / tricks they found. i have done many timing belts on hondas and acuras, so its not my first time.

 

Not much to it, really. No special tips or tricks, just set to TDC, disassemble, replace, etc.

 

thought so, just figured i would ask,

now i just need to figure out how i will get the crank bolt off, might have to finally buy that compressor

although, after looking at the crank pulley itself, there appears to be threaded holes for a tool to bolt on to hold the pulley still while you loosen the bolt, am i mistaken?

 

Yes, there is a tool that bolts to those holes to help you hold the crank steady. Those bolt holes are also there to use a puller to get the pulley off after you get the bolt off. A good quality impact gun and a strong compressor will get the bolt off no problems...

 

do i need a pulley puller??? or can a just pull off the crank pulley myself??

i have a steering wheel puller, which would work if it had to.

 

You will need a pulley puller.

 

anything special for putting the crank pulley back on? or will the bolt push it on??

 

Would you mind taking picture as you change the timing belt. My rx is getting up in mileage and probably needs to be changed

 

since i dont have a compressor, and i really dont want to get stuck part way through not having the right tools and the what not, i have decided to get a friend of mine to help me with it at his house. if i think of it, i will take some pictures, at least i will repost when i am done and let you know how it went and what didnt go well.

 

Don't you have to rotate the crank 50 degrees CCW after setting the engine to TDC on the VVT-i 3MZ-FEs as well?

 

its actually 60 degrees (i managed to download the service manual for the highlander, same engine as the rx330) so all is well.

actually i decided to have a friend do it for me, just in case i get into trouble.