Man, that does sound annoying. I don't understand why something so simple has to be so finicky. I would be extremely annoyed too. I am a new to the montero world. I soon will also be tackling this job due to the fact that my gen 2 montero has an oil leak at the crank seal. I was thinking I should probably replace the cam seals too while I'm at it. Having never done a timing belt job before I was a bit nervous but have been studying and am confident I can handle it myself. I do have a doubt however about the time. I'd like to ask you about it since you are familiar with the procedure. When I go to loosen and take off the timing belt. I am told that the cams are under spring tension even when it's at TDC and it may cause them to jump time. My question is, if it skips time while I have the belt off, will that jumping action cause the valves to get bent? is there enough for to do that? Or would that only happen if I start the engine without having in time.?