Camshaft Holding Tools

The shaft to which the cam attaches in your car engine is known as the camshaft. The cam, usually part of a wheel or circular shaft, consists of a rotating piece of machinery that either changes linear motion into rotary motion or vice versa. Camshaft holding tools allow you to manipulate nearby machinery and devices without actually having to remove the camshaft physically. You can order all of these parts online.

Schley Holding Tool

The Schley overhead camshaft (OHC) Pulley Holding Tool works with some Toyota and Nissan camshafts. This tool has a similar design to a wrench, except it has two grooved pins protruding from it. These pins prevent the camshaft pulley from moving while you either tighten or loosen the shafts center bolt. This tool proves especially useful for Asian V-6 motors, allowing you to access the rear pulley. You may at times find it difficult to access this pulley, as it sits near the shock tower or strut bar. This tool weighs 1.1 lbs., and it costs between $35 and $55 as of 2010.

DOHC Lock Tool

The Lisle Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) Lock Tool allows you to access the chains and timing belt without having to remove the entire camshaft. This tool, which keeps the camshaft sprockets stationary as you manipulate the other items, incorporates two flat ends and a bar running down the middle connecting the two. The design allows the tool to float between the two sprockets, essentially locking them in place. The tool will also act to keep the engine in time even when you are replacing the timing belt. Designed to work with any vehicle with a dual overhead camshaft, this tool costs between $30 and $40 as of 2010.

VW/Audi Locking Tool

Assenmacher specifically makes its Camshaft Locking Tool for the Volkswagen (VW) or Audi 2.0 Liter Turbo vehicle. This metal tool has two spokes that fit into the sprockets and lock them into place. This camshaft locking tool works in conjunction with locking pins, camshaft adjuster socket and a timing belt spanner wrench. The tool, compatible with VW/Audi vehicles made between 2006 and 2008, costs between $100 and $130 as of 2010.