Attention! The crankshaft can only be removed from the engine removed from the vehicle. It is also necessary to first remove the flywheel, vibration damper, toothed belt, oil pan, oil receiver pipe with strainer, oil pump, pistons and connecting rods, and the rear crankshaft cover.
1. Before removing the crankshaft, measure its end play using a dial gauge.
2. Move the crankshaft back as far as it will go and set the dial gauge to 0. Then move the crankshaft forward all the way and record the dial gauge. If the axial play is more than allowed, check the surfaces of the crankshaft adjacent to the thrust half rings for wear. If wear is not fixed, replace only thrust washers.
3. Crankshaft end play can also be measured using feeler blades.
4. Mark the main bearing caps.
5. Gradually and sequentially unscrew the bolts securing the main bearing caps. On the 3VZ-FE V6 engine, the main bearing caps are made as a single unit. On the 1MZ-FE V6 engine, the main bearing cap block bolts are installed on the sides of the block.
6. Remove the crankshaft from the engine block.