Harmonic balancer replacement

[Kev1990]

So I finally get myself a good alternator now my harmonic balancer has a wobble and a sound the one that drives the alternator. My questions now are

How is the harmonic balancer replaced?

It's related to mechanical timing-timing belt isn't it?

What complications could I run into if I let it go?

What complications could I run into while replacing it?

Best place to get a replacement? I heard at a JY.

I'm mainly looking to get this replaced if I have to or re tightened if that's a possibility.

Anyone who has experience with this please for the health of a F22 and for the help of my car and I please help me as much as you can thank you.

[sonikaccord]

So I finally get myself a good alternator now my harmonic balancer has a wobble and a sound the one that drives the alternator. My questions now are

How is the harmonic balancer replaced?
unbolt the crank pulley bolt and it slides right off.

It's related to mechanical timing-timing belt isn't it?

negative, only the stuff behind it

What complications could I run into if I let it go?


the rubber could give way and shear off leaving you with a broken pulley. Your alternator won't be able to charge the car and it just overall sucks

What complications could I run into while replacing it?

trying to break the pulley free. You need a pulley holder tool

Best place to get a replacement? I heard at a JY.

it's best to get a new one. The rubber deteriorates over time.

I'm mainly looking to get this replaced if I have to or re tightened if that's a possibility.

Anyone who has experience with this please for the health of a F22 and for the help of my car and I please help me as much as you can thank you.

Mine broke a few weeks ago, on the highway actually. I was able to drive it far enough on battery power alone to a Napa parking lot where I bought the new pulley. It took me about an hour and change to remove the broken one and install the new part. If you have never done it before, expect to run into minor snags like dropping the motor, and breaking the bolt free for the first time in who knows when.

[af_1132]

Mine is wobbling on my CG5, 181 ft-lbs instead of 159 ft-lbs, and I'm not looking forward to this, yuck.

Kev, make sure to take the tension off the PS and AC/Alt belts before taking your breaker bar to the bolt. The tool that Sonik mentioned can be had at most parts stores. It's the Honda/Acura crank pulley tool.

[Kev1990]

So does the motor really have to be dropped to replace it?

[sonikaccord]

Not completely. With mine, I had to loosen(ie remove) the front and driver's mount to gain sufficient access to the pulley.

[oni_cb7]

I have replaced the crank pulley/harmonic balancer about 5 different times.

1. You DON'T need to drop the motor at all or undo any of the mounts. The pulley can come out without touching any of those.

2. Make sure to get the recommended tool. You could use a bike chain type pulley holder, but this can break parts of the new pulley off. Not a good idea.

3. Make sure that the new harmonic balancer comes with the keyway. This should always be replaced with it.

4. If you don't take care of this, then there are bigger problems that could arise. If the pulley is allowed to wobble for too long, then it can destroy the threads. This means that you either have to replace the crankshaft or do what I did and put a helicoil into the crankshaft. Not fun either way.

GL

[sonikaccord]

I have replaced the crank pulley/harmonic balancer about 5 different times.

1. You DON'T need to drop the motor at all or undo any of the mounts. The pulley can come out without touching any of those.

How in the hell?

I had NO clearance to remove my pulley anytime I had to. Well, I probably would with the stock mounts, but then again I didn't have to remove it when I had stock mounts. I still say be prepared for it anyway. YMMV

Edit: I have ESP mounts

[wagon-r]

I removed my pulley without dropping the engine. It was tight, but it came off.

However, note that I needed a 3/4" breaker bar and a 4-foot long pipe to break the crankshaft bolt loose. And even then I was jumping on the pipe.

[Kev1990]

Hmm so the engine does not have to be dropped. New question the harmonic balancer is what drives the alternator what is the thing called that drives PS? Do they both come off separately?

[sonikaccord]

They are one piece.

The outer ring drives A/C and alt, the inner drives PS.

That is interesting...I need to see a stock CBs balancer location. My power steering ring contacts the inner fender and won't allow me to free it. AND the type of pulley tool I have is the huge bar style one and I couldn't fit that.

[Domesticated]

It a tight fit with the H. I can barely get a belt between the engine and chassis.

[Kev1990]

Hmm so if I get the Honda pulley holder tool and used an impact to remove the bolt how often does that work and does the harmonic balancer just pull right odd or will it have to be pried off?

[Domesticated]

You'll need a strong impact. I know some people couldn't even get it off with a half inch. Put this into perspective, I had a 3 foot bar and my 280 lb ass standing on it. That's around 850 ft-lbs. But yea, once the bolt is off, the pulley just slides off.

[Kev1990]

So be prepared for the impact to fail? Lol

[sonikaccord]

So be prepared for the impact to fail? Lol

Exactly