VTT crank bolt capture

[headstart101]

Is this an authentic VTT crank bolt capture? I purchased it from ECSTUNING but it does not fit over the factory crank bolt. The bolt capture does not line up with the bolt head and is spline not six sided like the bolt.

[Jeremy Billiel]

You have to keep spinning it until the holes line up.

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Billiel

You have to keep spinning it until the holes line up.

I get that part. The capture opening is too small to fit over the bolt no matter how many times I turn it. It won’t sit flush against the pulley. Maybe manufacturing defect?

[aa2033]

PLEASE NOTE: IN A SMALL NUMBER OF INSTANCES THE CAPTURE WILL NOT LINE UP WITH THE CRANK BOLT, AND THE DAMPER BOLTS. IN THIS CASE, SUGGEST PUTTING A LITTLE EXTRA STRETCH ON THE BOLT TO GET THEM LINED UP, OR YOU MUST INSTALL A NEW BOLT CLOCKING IT CORRECTLY TO FIT THE CAPTURE.

From their website

[jfritz27]

It looks like an authentic VTT. I think there's been a couple other similar posts in other threads commenting on the same issue (CBC not squarely fitting over the stock bolt, too tight). Wonder whether VTT's machining process has changed to a small degree accounting for this.

For what it's worth, I got the Kies CBC which fit fine. That one also has the advantage of having a 32mm hex head machined on the center portion, so if you need to manually turn over the engine for anything (like replacing belts) you retain the ability to do that.

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by jfritz27

It looks like an authentic VTT. I think there's been a couple other similar posts in other threads commenting on the same issue (CBC not squarely fitting over the stock bolt, too tight). Wonder whether VTT's machining process has changed to a small degree accounting for this.

For what it's worth, I got the Kies CBC which fit fine. That one also has the advantage of having a 32mm hex head machined on the center portion, so if you need to manually turn over the engine for anything (like replacing belts) you retain the ability to do that.

Make sense, I am going try my luck with another VTT CBC since I am able to return for a full refund.

[jfritz27]

Originally Posted by headstart101

Make sense, I am going try my luck with another VTT CBC since I am able to return for a full refund.

If I were you I'd check out Kies' return policy and order one from there too just in case you get unlucky a 2nd time. Then return the unused one.

[chewbakam4]

Why don’t you email Vargas about it?

[headstart101]

I did. Apparently this is their 12 point design that have no fitment issues but I feel like I have to force it on which will require removal of the pulley to get it off.

[MineralWhiteF80]

the fitment is an extremely tight fit! It should NOT easily slide on with your fingers. You need to first gently place the crank bolt capture (CBC) over the head of the crank bolt and then determine if all 8 bolt holes in the crank hub will align with the elongated holes in the VTT CBC. If they do, loosely install all 8 bolts and then in a crisscross star pattern, slowly start tightening each bolt little by little. This will slowly and evenly start pressing the CBC onto the crank bolt head and it will eventually flush up against the crank pulley.

The new version of the VTT CBC was likely with a 12 point center (instead of 6) to almost (if not completely) eliminate the likelihood of the CBC not being able to align in any orientation to the crank hub bolt holes.

[MineralWhiteF80]

Originally Posted by headstart101

I did. Apparently this is their 12 point design that have no fitment issues but I feel like I have to force it on which will require removal of the pulley to get it off.

Removal of the pulley is really not that difficult, and might take an extra 15 minutes to loosen slack on both drive belts and have complete control over pulley mounting.

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

the fitment is an extremely tight fit! It should NOT easily slide on with your fingers. You need to first gently place the crank bolt capture (CBC) over the head of the crank bolt and then determine if all 8 bolt holes in the crank hub will align with the elongated holes in the VTT CBC. If they do, loosely install all 8 bolts and then in a crisscross star pattern, slowly start tightening each bolt little by little. This will slowly and evenly start pressing the CBC onto the crank bolt head and it will eventually flush up against the crank pulley.

The new version of the VTT CBC was likely with a 12 point center (instead of 6) to almost (if not completely) eliminate the likelihood of the CBC not being able to align in any orientation to the crank hub bolt holes.

Thanks for this reply but I think I’ll go a different route.

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

Removal of the pulley is really not that difficult, and might take an extra 15 minutes to loosen slack on both drive belts and have complete control over pulley mounting.

I don’t doubt it but I was trying to avoid this as I am able to do it by just removing the under panels.

[MineralWhiteF80]

Originally Posted by headstart101

I don’t doubt it but I was trying to avoid this as I am able to do it by just removing the under panels.

You should only be installing it from the bottom, but worst case scenario, if the pulley drops off the lip on the crank hub during the install or if you ever need to remove the pulley in the future, it's not hard to do.

[fivaxis]

That doesn’t look right to me, here’s what mine looks like. Maybe they updated the design?

[dylanwilson]

I'm a little late to this thread but surely looks authentic to me... ecs is very trusted

[aa2033]

I ordered mine straight from vtt and mine looks the same as OPs

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by aa2033

I ordered mine straight from vtt and mine looks the same as OPs

Any issues with install?

[aa2033]

Originally Posted by headstart101

Any issues with install?

haven't got around to installing it yet. Going to tackle it in a few weeks probably.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Looks like they added more points to make it fit easier and not have to stretch the bolt as much to get it on to the next one.

[njavier03]

i had a similar issue. luckily, i ordered from FCP euro, so they quickly sent me a replacement. both units were 12 point vs the older 6 point. i ended up dropping the fan during my second attempt, and it was much easier to work from the top than on my back.

[headstart101]

Originally Posted by njavier03

i had a similar issue. luckily, i ordered from FCP euro, so they quickly sent me a replacement. both units were 12 point vs the older 6 point. i ended up dropping the fan during my second attempt, and it was much easier to work from the top than on my back.

Will try the MMR and report back.