Replacing Timing belt
 

I've been reading the timing belt removal procedure in the TSM, and it seems like they take off the belt by removing tension on the belt tensioner, then remove the cam and crank timing gears, then they reinstall the gears, and finally put the new belt on and tighten it up with the tensioner . Why remove the any of the gears at all? Is it just to replace the seals? That's not mentioned in the TSM. Otherwise it would be a lot easier to just switch belts. How difficult is getting the gears off and changing the seals? I see they call out a SST for removing the timing gears. Any suggestions on that?

You don't need to remove the cam or aux shaft gears to replace the timing belt.

Why the TSRM tells you to remove the gears when replacing a timing belt.....because the TSRM is a joke, that's why.

If you don't want to remove the gears then just skip that step. To change the seals you have to take the camshafts out.

Thanks for the replies. Bill, that link you shared with the series of images is terrific, thank you. That's also a great site . . . found an electonic parts manual on there. Once I buy 3 more M8x1.25 bolts I'll get that crank pulley hole spacing measured.