Use an impact wrench. The 3/8 inch models do not have enough torque for this job so use a 1/2 in wrench. Jam the belt with a piece of wood so the pulley doesn't turn. Use an socket designed for an impact wrench, which has a tighter fit on the crankshaft (or "harmonic balancer") bolt head than a socket meant for a hand tool. This will keep you from marring the bolt head. The bolt is threaded normally, not reverse threaded.
I am a believer in using hand tools wherever possible. The service manual shows the use of a special hand tool. It is a semi-circular piece of metal attached to a handle. The semicircle is attached to the crankshaft pulley by two bolts that go through two holes that you can see in the pulley. The idea is to hold the pulley with this tool. The semicircle leaves the pulley bolt exposed so you can put a wrench over it and turn it. However it would be hard to find this tool for sale in the USA. To losen the pulley bolt you will need a breaker bar with a long extension. If you have the car up on a lift then you have room for a long handle, but if you have it on jackstands you won't. My conclusion is that the impact wrench is the practical way.
To remove the harmonic balancer from a Nissan Maxima, first you need to removed the center bolt. After that, you can use a puller to remove the harmonic balancer. Before you do this, make sure you disconnect the battery and remove the drive belts.
With a balancer puller tool. With a balancer puller tool.
On most newer cars, the crank pulley is one piece with the harmonic balancer.... Remove it with a harmonic balancer puller.
The harmonic balancer tool is made especially to remove the balancer. Some stores will loan you the tool with a deposit.
use a harmonic puller
Go to Autozone and tell them u need a harmonic balancer puller
Remove upper core support, remove radiator, remove belts, using a hormonic balancer puller(specific for chrysler) remove balancer.
The flywheel has to be held in place by a holding tool, Remove the mounting bolt, then use a balancer remover to pull the harmonic balancer.
The crankshaft pulley unbolts from the harmonic balancer. The harmonic balancer can be removed from the crankshaft with a 3 bolt puller.
You need a balancer puller to remove it , It don't just slide off.
take off the serpentine belt and crank pulley and you will need a harmonic balancer pulley to get it off.
You will need a harmonic balancer puller. Remove crankshaft bolt and washer, reinstall bolt without the washer approximately 10 turns. This will protect the threads in the crankshaft. Install puller and remove balancer. You cannot remove the balancer without this puller. They are inexpensive or try to borrow one.