Changing Harmonic Balancer - any tips?

crazyhorse95

Founding Member

May 24, 2001

136

0

0

St Louis

Apr 15, 2005

#1

• Apr 15, 2005

• #1

Thanks to whoever mentioned the harmonic balancer - looks like that's the culprit to my vibration problems as there is a big piece of rubber sticking out the back of it. I'm changing it tomorrow - any tips on what else I need? I think I'll also do the main crankshaft front seal up there once I get it off, but I've also read about a sleeve of some sort that may help stop oil leaking? Any help would be appreciated - thanks.

 

S

slytherin

New Member

Apr 5, 2004

702

1

0

northeast ohio

Apr 15, 2005

#2

• Apr 15, 2005

• #2

Alot of things have to come outta the way but it is still pretty easy till you get to the balancer get a pulley remover and try not to beat on the new one to hard to get it on use a wood block to cushion the blow. Are you going to get an OE or upgrade to an SFI high dollar unit? I went with the high dollar unit from summit, I didn't want to worry about an OE coming apart again.

 

4Jenna

Founding Member

Sep 12, 2001

4,326

6

69

AZ

Apr 15, 2005

#3

• Apr 15, 2005

• #3

Get a puller, only tool you really need. The pulley and belt will have to come off also. I have also taken the fan off a time or two when i do um (was in my way)
As for the front main...i did that while my timing chain cover was off...so good luck.

If the new balancer is being a pita to install...put it in the over at 350 for like 10min, will slide on much easier.
GoodLuck

Chris

 

crazyhorse95

Founding Member

May 24, 2001

136

0

0

St Louis

Apr 15, 2005

#4

• Apr 15, 2005

• #4

I went with the OE one as I'd have to wait to get anything else and I'm not sure how much longer the current one will hold.
Plus the stock one went 110,000 miles so I'm hoping an aftermarket will at least last a little while?

 

S

slytherin

New Member

Apr 5, 2004

702

1

0

northeast ohio

Apr 15, 2005

#5

• Apr 15, 2005

• #5

It should if you dont have any mods and since you dont have any listed I will assume your ride is stock.

 

crazyhorse95

Founding Member

May 24, 2001

136

0

0

St Louis

Apr 15, 2005

#6

• Apr 15, 2005

• #6

It is stock and it's been a great car - just getting to about that time when things are going wrong. Hopefully I can keep it running for a minimum of cost for another year or so!

 

Uncle Log

New Member

Apr 1, 2005

26

0

1

Evansville, IN

Apr 15, 2005

#7

• Apr 15, 2005

• #7

Go to an auto parts store and rent a harmonic balancer puller. You may also need a pretty large breaker bar as the bolt that holds it on is pretty stout. I think the socket size you need for the bolt is 15/16'', but I could be wrong. Make sure you have some gasket material to dab into the keyway so you dont' leak oil.

If you're using the stock replacement balancer, it'll probably slide on with little resistance, use the bolt to pull it on the rest of the way.

Have a significant other prepared to give you a back massage after all of the bending over.

 

final5-0

Mustang Master

Apr 6, 2003

6,817

12

79

DFW Texas

Apr 15, 2005

#8

• Apr 15, 2005

• #8

I kinda think it is the rpm's that kill the stocker.

After a weekend of several 6k plus rpm wot 3rd gear blasts to dial in the upper end of my maf curve & fuel table the stocker said ............Bye Bye, lol.

Later
Grady

 

crazyhorse95

Founding Member

May 24, 2001

136

0

0

St Louis

Apr 20, 2005

#9

• Apr 20, 2005

• #9

Hey guys thanks for all your help - The bolt actually popped loose fairly easy, however we couldn't get the key to come out. We ended up leaving it in with the new balancer and so far so good.
Runs like new now -

 

yellowstang1994

New Member

Sep 9, 2004

338

0

0

Apr 20, 2005

#10

• Apr 20, 2005

• #10

I replaced mine and I didn't know anything about them. I was kind of worried from all the tips that sounded like the new one would be really hard to get on. It took me about an hour to do mine. I moved the fans and the water overfill out. Took the belt off. Pulley has 4 bolts. So far no big deal. THe 15/16 bolt on the balancer was no big deal to take off either, just leave the car in 5th. I had no trouble at all putting the new one on. It slid right on with no problem what so ever. I left the key in because it looked fine. Torque everything back down and throw it all together and you're ready to roll.