harmonic balancer problems?

[computAr]

okay so my car's been vibrating a LOT lately. i included a few pictures to help me explain what's going on. try and bear with me, i know next to nothing about the technicalities of our cars.

the place i'm pointing at, i believe that's where the harmonic balancer is right?

there's a round metal disc type thing there that seems to be completely unattached to anything else. when i drive, the disc hits against something and makes uhh... metal hitting metal type noises. this metal disc thing has a bunch of numbers on the side, which i've been told indicates the car's timing.

that's a picture of that same disc thing from underneath the car. notice the angle i'm holding it at.

that's me holding the same disc. notice how it's at a different angle from the previous picture, and more towards the front of the car.


okay so uhh... what's wrong and how do i fix it? thanks in advance.

 

[Michael Yount]

I think you got your answer in the other post - take the belt off, unbolt the pulley from the balancer, unbolt the balancer, get AutoZone to loan you their balancer puller for a small refundable deposit (do this when you're buying a new balancer at AutoZone), then intall the new balancer. Big torque on the new one - use a torque wrench and torque it to the proper spec. When you go to break loose the balancer bolt - put the car in 4th or 5th gear, not 1st or 2nd - it'll help. Don't drive it til you fix it - you can really screw things up internally with the balancer that bad.

 

[computAr]

okay basically, i don't trust myself to install it. so what else can i do?

 

[Michael Yount]

????? Trick question? Have someone else install it. If you have to drive it there - minimize revs as much as possible - but get it fixed before you break other much more expensive things.

 

[computAr]

blah. okay thanks.

 

[L8 MUSL]

Wow, if it is that shot, and you do not want to do it yourself, I wouldn't drive it at all. I would have it towed to who ever is going to do it.
It really is pretty easy though. I'm sure we could all give you enough advice to get you through it.

 

[computAr]

okay so if i were to go about doing it myself, could anyone give me some detailed instructions and an estimate of about how long it'll take?

 

[Black 93 Fox]

okay so if i were to go about doing it myself, could anyone give me some detailed instructions and an estimate of about how long it'll take?

When I did it i had to take out the rad and ac condeser? so i could get the air gun in there to take the big ass bolt off. There is 4 bolts to take off the crank pulley. When I did it i was replacing the timing cover gasket so basicly everything was out of the car so i dont know how to do it with out taking everything out.

Black 93 Fox

 

[L8 MUSL]

okay so if i were to go about doing it myself, could anyone give me some detailed instructions and an estimate of about how long it'll take?

You must have a harmonic balancer puller. As said, call your local auto parts stores and rent/barrow one (it's a kit, make sure all the pieces are there when you pick it up).
You may just have to remove the fan and fan shroud.
remove the four bolts that hold on your crank pulley and remove the pulley.
follow the directions on the puller, pull that p.o.s. off.
with the pulley off, you can thred in two bolts into two of the holes on the balancer and use those to put a pry bar or real big strong screwdriver on to keep the balancer and motor from turnning while you use a large breaker bar or ratchet with a pipe over the end for leverage to break the bolt loose.
the puller kit also has the bits to "push" the new one on. you "MUST" use this, do not try to hammer it on.
You will also need a tourque wrench to tourque the bolt back on (I believe it is 70 ft lbs.
It's easy, you can do it.

 

[Michael Yount]

I'd add, if you try it yourself, I've never had to use the 'pusher' to get the balancer on. I clean the crankshaft snout and inside of the balancer very well, use some fine emery cloth on both, and then lube both with never sieze. The balancer has always gone on far enough just by pushing with my hands (past the key) that I can then put the bolt in, and seat the balancer with the bolt.

 

[tomst9]

I'd add, if you try it yourself, I've never had to use the 'pusher' to get the balancer on. I clean the crankshaft snout and inside of the balancer very well, use some fine emery cloth on both, and then lube both with never sieze. The balancer has always gone on far enough just by pushing with my hands (past the key) that I can then put the bolt in, and seat the balancer with the bolt.

thats what i did too. Worked for me

 

[computAr]

thanks everyone, i got the problem figured out.

 

[HISSIN50]

you can also search in here. when lookin for what type of balancer i wanted, i found about 1000 threads in here, some are very specific about what to do with the ins and outs of the R/R.
i would say, try it yourself. look at it this way. worst case, you tow the car somewhere and have them do it. you would (should) two it anyhow. you may save a few bucks by removing stuff for the shop and know you atleast tried. not too hard at all. and you may save some cash and do it all yourself.

Michael, as usual, is right on with the clean up tips and anti seizing the new unit.
good luck.