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Is the harmonic balancer supposed to be this difficult to remove?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Andres2882
  • Start date Start date Feb 25, 2006
A

Andres2882

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Jan 29, 2004
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Feb 25, 2006
#1
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #1
Ok, I took the big bolt out of the center, I removed the four bolts and took off the pulley. Using the balancer removing tool from autozone, I put the bolts in to two of the holes to secure plate and then threaded that onto the big bolt that has a cap of sort on the end. Then, using an impact gun, I tried to tighten that large center bolt so that plate would be pulling backward. No luck whatsoever. I never seem to have any luck with these puller deals. Am I doing something wrong?
 

rd

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2000
3,316
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109
Ocean Springs MS
Feb 25, 2006
#2
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #2
These can be uncooperative, especially if they have not been off before.

I suggest reinstalling the big damper retaining bolt into the nose of the crank, 3 or 5 or so turns loose, and having the puller forcing screw bear on the end of that. If you have it bear on the end of the crank, it may beat up the threads. Make sure you have enough to at least get the damper moving. When it moves, spray some wd40 around it for the rest of the trip.

Make sure the puller bolts are even, and its all lined up. You may have to start it with a big breaker bar, while holding the crank from turning by a prybar, or vice grips.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Feb 25, 2006
#3
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #3
I'm with RD. Hitting with PB before even attempting it might have helped.

I find with many pressed on items that you have to load them up more than we are comfy with, and then we get the first click. Then we inspect to see if the part broke loose or just broke.
Then removal as usual.

To help this in the future, I would neverseize the hub upon reinstallation.

Good luck.
 

Realmongo

I prefer to be called "Evil Genius"
Founding Member
Oct 10, 2001
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99
Western Mass
Feb 25, 2006
#4
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #4
Yes as pointed out above, the balancer can be really stuck on there. But using a puller properly WILL remove it. Whatever you do, resiste the urge to strike it with a hammer as you can fracture it and have some real problems down the road if it were to come apart at speed. Also when you reinstall it, there is a harmonic balancer installation tool that comes with a large bearing that makes installation a breeze.
 

RMODEL65

Member
Jul 6, 2005
313
1
18
brunswick ga
Feb 25, 2006
#5
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #5
did u just use the bolt with out the end cap on it they are normally the same size threads as the big bolt and just screw into the crank if u leave it out. and like the other guy suggested leave the bolt in loose i always do this as to not damage the threads!
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Feb 25, 2006
#6
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #6
Did you remove the big washer that sits under the bolt? If not, you'll only succeed in bending/breaking the puller, or stripping the puller threads. Don't ask how I know.....
 

cevtv

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Sep 15, 2002
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Feb 25, 2006
#7
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #7
Michael Yount said:
Did you remove the big washer that sits under the bolt? If not, you'll only succeed in bending/breaking the puller, or stripping the puller threads. Don't ask how I know.....
Click to expand...


Bingo......


It's kind of funny how many people don't realize that the washer is even in there.

.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
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79
Charlotte, NC
Feb 25, 2006
#8
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #8
Yeah - if you haven't taken one off, it usually sticks in there, and it is impossible to use a puller with it in place.
 

bock

Founding Member
Jan 7, 2002
648
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19
Montreal,Qc
Feb 25, 2006
#9
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #9
and how do you fix it back in place with the crank turning.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
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79
Charlotte, NC
Feb 25, 2006
#10
  • Feb 25, 2006
  • #10
?????Put the car in 5th gear with the ebrake on and the tires chocked. It won't turn then....

How did you get it loose?
 
A

Andres2882

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Jan 29, 2004
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Feb 26, 2006
#11
  • Feb 26, 2006
  • #11
Big washer you say ehhhhh? Nuts, I dont think I pulled off any big washer.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Feb 26, 2006
#12
  • Feb 26, 2006
  • #12
..yup, there's a big washer that the bolt goes through; if you don't remove it, when you install the puller, it justs tries to bend the puller frame, instead of pulling the balance off by pushing against the crank snout.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
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89
Dallas, TX
Feb 26, 2006
#13
  • Feb 26, 2006
  • #13
And be sure to use the correct end on the large puller bolt so you don't damage the end of your crank or the threads in the front of your crank.

I have seen this happen before as well.
 

cevtv

Founding Member
Sep 15, 2002
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Massachusetts
Feb 26, 2006
#14
  • Feb 26, 2006
  • #14
Andres2882 said:
Big washer you say ehhhhh? Nuts, I dont think I pulled off any big washer.
Click to expand...


Yeah.......it's a pretty good sized one.......






.
 

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