I have just spend hours reading through threads and I have a few questions. This is my third opti and first time attempting it myself. Do I have to remove the harmonic balancer and the pulley? I got the front piece off which I think is the pulley, I cant get the center bolt out of the rear piece. I had my air compresser up to like 130 psi. Anyone have tricks????? I was able to get the old opti out, but can't get the new one passed it. I tried a socket wrench by hand but the whole pulley wants to turn and I am afraid that may be bad for the car. People on here keep refering something to the hub. What is the hub? Any advice on this would be appriciated, I really want to drive my car again soon.

 

The hub is the 3 pronged thing the pulley is bolted to. It does not have to be removed to do the opti work, but it does have to be in a certain position. That is, with the TDC cast line or mark at 12 o'clock. Then, the opti will have just barely enough room to slide by.