Few days ago I started the dreaded water pump replacement. After help from you guys and youtube university…lol….I opted for giving the timing chain tool try and I could see where the problem with the tool was….to much slack in fitment of the tool. So I used hvac aluminum duct tape strips to build the radius up to take up that slack. And then after measuring the depth from cover to the sprocket….found out the tool was 1/2” to short. So I made a plastic spacer of that thickness so when tightened the tool up to the sprocket there could be no or very little slack for the sprocket to tilt and give tensioner a chance to advance. So far car runs and sounds normal even at higher rpms. I will include pic of tool I rented and spacers

 

They must rent a different tool than the one I bought. Mine fits perfectly.

 

may very well be, I dont know. First time I ever did water pump this way using tool. Might have been fine without doing what I did to the tool but after some horror stories and some measuring, thats what I did to improve my chances. Figured I would share.

 

You did it without removing the timing cover, right. There is no need for the tool if you are replacing the chain at the same time.
For future readers:
The outer slotted ring attaches to the timing cover, the 2 captured bolts screw into the sprocket.
Here is the tut: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-56476/

 

correct

 

My sprocket tool is the 360 degree round style , it didn’t have much room to move about, when the three bolts were installed, but the depth might have been the problem.
Next time, I’ll be sure to look 👀