Harmonic Balancer

[PsychoDad]

Can anyone give me some advice on removing the harmonic balancer? Could it be I’m using the wrong pulley remover, is there a specific one? So far all I’ve managed to do is bend 3 sets of grade 8 bolts that fasten the pulley to the balancer.

 

[melsg5]

Pulley remover, typo or are you not unbolting the pulley from the balancer, then removing the crankshaft bolt and then pulling the balancer?

 

[PsychoDad]

Yes typo, pulley has been removed so has crankshaft bolt. Removing the balancer is the problem I’m having, won’t budge.

 

[melsg5]

Are you using the same puller as this video?

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[PsychoDad]

Yes, that is exactly the same type of puller that I am using. Car belongs to my son so I’m being cautious in removing it but it’s breaking loose as in the video.

 

[melsg5]

Good to hear. With all three bolts fully threaded into the balancer and the puller flat against it, nothing should bend and it should come off.

 

[PsychoDad]

Three bolts, maybe that’s what I’ve been doing wrong. I’ve only been able to align two bolts. Thank you I’ll try and reposition to align all three and go from there

 

[melsg5]

Three bolts, maybe that’s what I’ve been doing wrong. I’ve only been able to align two bolts. Thank you I’ll try and reposition to align all three and go from there

I looked at the video again, he used two but they are fully threaded into the balancer.

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[Kraig1957]

Can anyone give me some advice on removing the harmonic balancer? Could it be I’m using the wrong pulley remover, is there a specific one? So far all I’ve managed to do is bend 3 sets of grade 8 bolts that fasten the pulley to the balancer.

The crank and balancer might be rusted together. Try some aerosol penetrating oil. Spray the area where the crank is in contact with the balancer. Wait a half hour spray some more and tap the face of the balancer with a hammer. I would put a block of wood between the hammer and balancer. See if it will come off after that with the puller, if it doesn't, give the penetrating oil some time (usually a day) to do its work.

If that doesn't work, it is time to bring the heat, I would use a small propane torch that is also used for plumbing. but stay away from the rubber seal on the balancer. It doesn't take a lot of heat to get the two to break loose.

I've had good luck with Liquid Wrench in a spray can, and time. I've yet to have to use the heat method, the penetrating oil and time generally do the trick. Good Luck.

 

[PsychoDad]

Thank you, I’ve just picked up a can of liquid wrench and have the heat on standby.