The good news is, the harmonic balancer
can easily be repaired with a kit that usually retails for under $10
.
What happens when harmonic balancer goes bad?
If the harmonic balancer gets too old or fails and can no longer properly absorb the harmonic vibrations,
the engine will shake excessively
. The shaking will become even more pronounced, and therefore dangerous to the engine at high speeds.
Can a harmonic balancer be welded?
Hello – No, welding the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft is
not a good idea
for at least 2 reasons. … Welding the hub to the crank will almost certainly pass enough heat to the rubber portion of the balancer to damage it.
Is harmonic balancer easy to replace?
Most DIYers can replace a
harmonic balancer themselves
if they follow the rigth Harmonic balancer replacement procedurehave the right tools. Replacing a harmonic balancer is a three-step process. In many cases, the hardest part is removing the center crankshaft bolt. For that you’ll need the proper 1⁄2-in.
How do I know if my harmonic balancer needs replacing?
- Engine Vibrations. The harmonic balancer’s job is to dampen vibrations applied to the crankshaft. …
- Noticeable Harmonic Balancer Wobble. …
- Unusual Noises. …
- Illuminated Check Engine Light. …
- Visible Wear or Damage.
Can a car run without a harmonic balancer?
And because the belts that go around the crankshaft pulley run all of the car’s accessories, without the harmonic balancer you’d have no air conditioning, no power steering, no alternator and no water pump. … And without it, you can do damage to the crankshaft and the engine bearings.
Is crankshaft pulley same as harmonic balancer?
Is a crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer the same thing? – Quora.
No
! They are two different things. The harmonic balancer slides onto the front of the crankshaft which has a keyway on it to keep it from slipping and a bolt and wide washer holds it in place.
How do you test a harmonic balancer?
Start your engine and check the harmonic balancer to
see if it wobbles while the engine is running
. Take a flashlight and shine it directly onto the balancer to see if it goes in and out while rotating. If it wobbles, the harmonic balancer is bad.
How much does a harmonic balancer replacement cost?
How much does a harmonic balancer usually cost? A harmonic balancer replacement can be
as low as $150 to over $550
.
Can you remove a harmonic balancer without a puller?
Most vehicle engines are now equipped with a pulley that holds the harmonic balancer apart from the center bolt. To remove the pulley, you need to rotate it a little with a screw driver’s help and pull it out using a
pickle fork
. You might not need the pickle fork; you can do that with bare hands.
What is the rubber for in a harmonic balancer?
The harmonic balancer (also known as the crankshaft damper) is a round disc made of rubber and metal that
absorbs vibrations caused by the engine cylinders’ firing
. It protects the crankshaft.
How do I know if my harmonic balancer has slipped?
There is a scribe mark on the face of the balancer you can see while it is installed. The mark is chiseled across between the center hub and the outer ring. Rotate the engine with a 3/4 wrench and look closely for the mark.
If the mark on the hub is not aligned with the mark on the ring then it is slipped
.
How long does harmonic balancer last?
On certain engines, sometimes these last forever, last the life of the engine. And certain engines they might only last 50,000 miles or
less than 10 years
.
