HELP WITH CAMSHAFT LOCK TOOL. And removing the camshaft adjuster sprocket!

[Flotronux]

Ok so i'm in the process of replacing my timing chain, tensioner, and exhaust cam adjuster sprocket. I bought a camshaft lock tool to hold the cams in position while i remove the parts i'm replacing. If any of you have replaced there camshaft adjuster you probably are familiar with how tight that bolt is holding it on. So I have the cam lock tool bolted in place and when I go to remove the screw holding the adjuster sprocket on the camshaft it's bending the cam lock tool peg that is slipped into the exhaust cam side. I stopped turning before it broke but what the heck is going on. I kind of had a bad feeling before i even started seeing as those pegs on the cam lock tool are held on my tiny allen screws. and sure enough it's just bending the little screws. I'm thinking about welding the pegs of the cam lock tool to that plate its bolted to? has anyone else had this problem I have to assume i'm not the first to encounter this. Or am i missing something and is the cam lock tool not designed to take the forcing to remove the cam adjuster bolt? If it's not designed for that well how the heck do I hold the cam in place while wrenching off the cam adjuster bolt? This is on the 2.0T by the way.

Thanks

[Denio24]

AFAIK all you need to use is the cam locking tool and the polydrive socket to get the cam adjuster off. I heard that this bolt is a ***** to get off and numerous people have stripped it. I would honestly take the cams out together with chain and the tensioner and take the chain off that way. Clamp one of the cams in a vise (obviously lobes protected) and take the bolt off with the polydrive tool. Then put the cams back in together and aligned. I guess you could take the head off as well. Happy [wrench][wrench][wrench]

It's on there with 75 lb ft of torque. I guess it's doable but quite difficult with the cam still in the head.

[vvenom800tt]

I did mine last month and it was easy as pie.

Bolted down the tool and then removed the bolt, Its a little tight but im assuming most people are using shitty as ratchets, i used my friends 2 foot snap on ratchet and the bolt cried like a little bitch when it saw what it was up against, it almost backed out on its own

[Flotronux]

Thanks for the reply. I thought as well that all i needed was the cam lock tool as well from the reading i was doing but it started bending right away. I think I'll try welding the posts to the plate to give it more strength. I really don't want to remove the cams. I'd like to leave the front timing alone. It just had a timing belt put on and i would hate to screw up setting the tensioner correctly. I have the correct poly drive socket and a nice 2 foot matco breaker bar. Man i can't believe the cam lock peg is bending. pisses me off the job was going smooth till that happened.

[Flotronux]

Well I compared mine to pictures on the internet at ecs tuning and mine is not as high quality as some i'm seeing. most of the ones I see online the posts go all the way through the plate mine go half way and are held in my tiny screws. Damn ebay crap! I'll weld the posts to the plate and hope that's enough strength to break the bolt free. Otherwise i'll have to buy the one from ecs tuning but there back ordered till the end of the month right now!

[aluthman]

I've seen two camps when it comes to that exhaust cam adjuster bolt. Some people have little to no trouble removing it and for others, it may as well be welded in. I tried to remove one from a junk cam just for shits and giggles. I had the cam in a vise with the poly drive on a ½" drive breaker bar (2ft). That thing would not budge. I added a cheater bar and slowly started to pull, and the teeth inside the bolt just let go. No slow smooth rounding off like most bolts. This thing is hardened, so the teeth just all sheared off at once in a loud BANG that sent my hand slamming into my workbench. Needless to say, I was pissed. I hope you have better luck.

[Denio24]

Well I compared mine to pictures on the internet at ecs tuning and mine is not as high quality as some i'm seeing. most of the ones I see online the posts go all the way through the plate mine go half way and are held in my tiny screws. Damn ebay crap! I'll weld the posts to the plate and hope that's enough strength to break the bolt free. Otherwise i'll have to buy the one from ecs tuning but there back ordered till the end of the month right now!

Just for reference which ebay kit did you buy? If the welding doesn't work, try this: https://audi.snapon.com/SpecialToolsDetail.aspx?itemId=31060005

[Flotronux]

I have a question. If the timing of the two cams were off by one tooth on the chain side, would the cam lock tool be able to still fit properly? Also what is the best way to see that the two cams are timed properly to each other?

[vvenom800tt]

I dont think the tool will fit if its off, its quite snug once its on. You can rotate the cams a **** hair in either direction but i dont think a whole tooth