removing cam belt cover

[dazandcaz]

Hi, i am just in the middle of trying to change my cambelt and all the other stuff you end up doing at the same time. The problem i have come across is that the idler wheel and bracket for the PAS belt are stopping me pulling the cover out far enough to remove it.
I looked through quite a few threads about cambelt change and none seemed to mention removing this. To remove the offending item it looks like the PAS pump needs to be removed before i can get to the bolts for the bracket.
Is this the right thing to do?
I have removed the idler but this only helped a little.

[wishbone]

Yep you need to remove the aircon pump and the bracket. I'd already removed the aircon from my 2.4 so I ground off the bit the idler attaches to to make it easier next time.

[dazandcaz]

Cheers fella, went straight out with the spanners and whipped it off. The cover is now off and i can see all the scary stuff behind including the oil slick from the front crank seal.( glad i got one last week from toyota in anticipation )

next question, how do i remove the crank gear and then can i just pull the seal out and replace?

[wishbone]

You need a gear puller (3 bolt type) and then hook the seal out, knock a new one in. (with a bit of pipe the right size)

Example of gear puller.

[dazandcaz]

Sounds nice 'n' easy , i have a slide hammer with a similar looking mounting attachment and if that doesn't fit looks like a quick trip to machinemart.
Thanks for the help and quick replies.
dazza