Replacing a harmonic balancer?
08-10-2006, 06:08 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: So-Cal
Posts: 2,645
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
ORIGINAL: Twisted
Thanks for the instructions, Twister. I think I will have a beer while I do it. So does the radiator need to come out, or does it just make things easier?
ORIGINAL: Twister
you need an impact wrench for the balancer, and be sure to get a new washer!
1. Remove the fan, shroud and radiator, you will need the room
2. remove crank pulley
3. use the impact wrench to remove the harmonic balancer bolt, without one, you will turn the engine over...
4 use puller to remove balancer
5. reverce above steps
6. drink a beer or 4
you need an impact wrench for the balancer, and be sure to get a new washer!
1. Remove the fan, shroud and radiator, you will need the room
2. remove crank pulley
3. use the impact wrench to remove the harmonic balancer bolt, without one, you will turn the engine over...
4 use puller to remove balancer
5. reverce above steps
6. drink a beer or 4
08-10-2006, 06:09 PM
#13
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: So-Cal
Posts: 2,645
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
ORIGINAL: Twisted
Thanks Twister. I just went outside and had a look, and realized that you can't get to the bolt without taking off the pulley anyway. I was thinking that I would torque the bolt back on with my torque wrench to get home. At any rate, do you have any suggestions as to how to get the bolt off without air tools? I feel like I could practically stand on the breaker bar if the car was in gear. What do you think?
ORIGINAL: Twister
DON'T do that, it would not be safe!
ORIGINAL: Twisted
Thanks for the replies folks. I've been pondering how to get that damper retaining bolt off, as I have no air tools. One question: Is it possible to get at the damper retaining bolt without taking the pulley off? I ask because I was thinking that maybe I could take the car to my local shop, and have them break the bolt loose and then re-tighten it. Then when I get home, I should be able to break the bolt loose with a leverage bar. Will this work? Thanks again.
Thanks for the replies folks. I've been pondering how to get that damper retaining bolt off, as I have no air tools. One question: Is it possible to get at the damper retaining bolt without taking the pulley off? I ask because I was thinking that maybe I could take the car to my local shop, and have them break the bolt loose and then re-tighten it. Then when I get home, I should be able to break the bolt loose with a leverage bar. Will this work? Thanks again.
08-10-2006, 06:13 PM
#14
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
There is a way but it can be dangerous/damaging.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
08-10-2006, 06:15 PM
#15
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: So-Cal
Posts: 2,645
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
ORIGINAL: Derf00
There is a way but it can be dangerous/damaging.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
There is a way but it can be dangerous/damaging.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
4. if someone is under the hood, they can get hit
08-10-2006, 06:54 PM
#17
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location:
Posts: 3,768
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
ORIGINAL: Twister
3. the bar can come flying up into the hood...
4. if someone is under the hood, they can get hit
ORIGINAL: Derf00
There is a way but it can be dangerous/damaging.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
There is a way but it can be dangerous/damaging.
Get a breaker bar with the right size socket. Since your engine rotates Clockwise, put the socket on the main bolt and rest the breaker bar on the ground while it's attached to the socket. Take off the distributor cap. Crank the car for a second. It will break the bolt loose.
I've used that trick on a number of cars but the following can happen:
1) You bust your socket
2) You send the socket/breaker bar into the radiator (just keep a folded towel in place in front of the balancer in case this does happen)
Or here's another idea, some places rent electric impact guns. While the 1/2" variety suck, you can get a 3/4" that works better than air ones.
4. if someone is under the hood, they can get hit
Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe I'll see if Autozone can rent me one of those electric impact wrenches. I guess that's my only hope at this point.
08-10-2006, 08:48 PM
#19
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: texas
Posts: 1,082
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
all ya do is get a breaker bar like a 18-24 inches..and atch to damper bolt turn a lil till it reat on side of fender well a lil inside of motor area...and bump motor a lil at a time...starter will turn motor over and bolt will loosin easy...i done it a million times..
08-10-2006, 08:52 PM
#20
Resident Ford Troll
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Delaware
Posts: 6,717
RE: Replacing a harmonic balancer?
Easier way without air would be to get a buddy with a pry bar or flat tip screwdriver (big one!) and have them under the car and holdin the flywheel. Have em get a good bite on one of the teeth and then give it hell with a breaker bar. Just remember, pull the bar towards the passenger side, not drivers!