worst 21st b-day ever, how bad is it?

[Aliate X]

Well I was screwing around in the snow in the parking lot of my school and I do one donut, just once around then go to park and the car shuts off, I start it back up and it has this HORRIBLE vibration, probably the worst vibration Ive ever felt. I open up the hood and I hear/see the balancer jumping around. Now my question is, is it possible that just the balancer came apart or could I have damaged the crank too? The car is still parked in the parking lot Im going to go over and change the balancer over there, assuming thats the problem. Also last I pulled the balancer off was in may and I do not recall if I have to take the radiator out or not, do I?

Thanks guys, yes worst 21st bday ever.

 

[86bluecobra]

Well my first question was it firing on all cylinders? If it was odds are the cranck is ok but you balancer is toast. Because you didn't run it for long i would suspect that it is ok. Get a new piece and see what happens.

 

[Aliate X]

yeah it ran for maybe 15 sec, nothing above 1500 rpms. Well I guess a true gearhead spends his 21st bday in the college parking lot changing his balancer lol.

 

[86bluecobra]

yeah it ran for maybe 15 sec, nothing above 1500 rpms. Well I guess a true gearhead spends his 21st bday in the college parking lot changing his balancer lol.

lol oh yah 21 is a big year in the states isn't it. Not so big in canada. Yes get that dampner replaced. Don't be surprised if your going to be taking the rad out to do the job.

 

[jrichker]

I ran around for a hundred miles or so with a balancer that was going bad. I didn't realize what was happening until it completely spun and separated like yours did.
I replaced the balancer and am still driving the car without any noticeable problems. God takes good care of me & my Mustang...

Removing the balancer
The radiator stays in place, but you will need a harmonic balancer puller to get the balancer hub off. AutoZone or most big auto parts stores will rent/loan you one.

Here’s a neat site that has photos (its for a chevy, but it still works the same) http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/53578/

I recommend that you replace the harmonic balancer timing cover seal at the same time. It has a flange on it that you can grip with a pair of Visegrips. Once the Visegrips are super tightened in place with the opening lever facing the front of the car, you can rock the Visegrips against the timing cover and cause the seal to pull out. Coat the new seal's metal housing with a small amount of silicone gasket sealer and use the old balancer hub to drive it in place. The new balancer will slide into place, be sure to lube the crank and seal area. Carefully align the keyway in the balancer with the key on the crank. Before you install the bolt and tighten everything up. The balancer bolt takes over 100 ft/lbs of torque to tighten it properly, so you’ll need a 15/16” socket and a long breaker bar or ratchet.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I think a bad 21st birthday would be driving home from the bar, doing a few donuts in a parking lot, and hitting a lamp post really hard which would bend your car in half.

Then shortly after, a cop rolls up, gives your a ticket for reckless driving, then smells alcohol on your breath and writes you a drunk driving ticket that will cost you $5,000-$10,000 dollars.

That's a bad 21st birthday!!!! :SNSign:

 

[iwashmycar]

happy 21st!

 

[trbkrb]

I had to change mine in the parking lot at my office. It broke right before I got into the parking lot! Luckily my wife brought me my jack and stands, extra tools and clothes. Ended up using a long pipe on my rachet positioned against the side rails and "bumped" the motor to break the bolt loose. Then I forgot about the washer under the nut when I tried to pull the balancer I eventually got it replaced, but it sure beat a tow truck bill.

Good luck on it!

 

[rickd93_lx]

i have a stock balancer you can have for shipping. happy 21 the years are going to fly by now, youll see what i mean.

 

[shhak]

Don't want to be the negative one here, but last time I had a balancer bouncing around it was on a 327 Chevy. THE CRANK WAS BROKE!!! Happened while spinning donuts in my high school parking lot after school one day. Sound familiar? No snow involved, but yes, the crank was broke just inside the front cover.

 

[rickd93_lx]

the moral of the thread "donuts are for cops"

 

[310stanger]

Care to say what kind of balancers you guys have had that are failing? Stock ones I presume. When I did my trickflow package I went overboard and put on a Fluidampr.

 

[v8only]

personally I don't let god touch my mustang however I'd drop the sig and stop advertising what you're doing...other than that replace the balancer with a good quality aftermarket piece and enjoy years of service.

 

[DJ MIKE A]

My stock one came apart. No damage done. 30 minute fix and a way smoother ride!

 

[TheDamned]

I think a bad 21st birthday would be driving home from the bar, doing a few donuts in a parking lot, and hitting a lamp post really hard which would bend your car in half.

Then shortly after, a cop rolls up, gives your a ticket for reckless driving, then smells alcohol on your breath and writes you a drunk driving ticket that will cost you $5,000-$10,000 dollars.

That's a bad 21st birthday!!!! :SNSign:

Yeah same here, it's not that bad hehe

 

[RsStanG1987]

Couldnt of happened to a nicer guy..
I am RsStanG1987 and i approved this message

 

[jrichker]

personally I don't let god touch my mustang however I'd drop the sig and stop advertising what you're doing...

Visit the web site and you will find nothing for sale - just some free tips on how to fix your Mustang and build some automotive related items. Some pictures of my shop area and a “Meet the Owner” biography tell a little about me.