Harmonic Balancer
#1
04-22-09, 06:24 AM
Harmonic Balancer
I have a 1993 Buick Century with the 3300 series engine. The harmonic balancer is shot. It clangs and just doesn't sound good. You can take and turn the outer ring of the balancer a good inch either way. How hard is it to replace it?
#2
04-22-09, 08:01 PM
Not too difficult. Take off the right front tire and splash guard. Then take off the drive belt, remove the center fixing bolt and pull it off with a puller. If yours is trashed anyway you could use just about anything for a puller.
If you were saving yours, it would take a special tool.
If you were saving yours, it would take a special tool.
#4
04-23-09, 03:48 AM
Not to steal Marbobj's thunder, but he's asleep, now....the harmonic balancer brings the imbalance of the firing of the engine into a more tolerable motion. As you have discovered, it is in two pieces. The rubber ring "gives" as the engine fires to reduce vibration throughout the drivetrain. Newer balancers (especially for diesels) are fluid balancers, so in addition to the rubber ring, the outer ring contains a fluid that balances as the engine turns.
#5
04-23-09, 08:58 AM
Ok, Autozone has a harmonic balancer repair kit. Will that work just as well as a brand new harmonic balancer? And do I still have to pull it out to use the kit?
I take a little nap and when I wake up I ain't got no thunder left.
#7
04-23-09, 05:18 PM
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The repair kits are for the Nose of the balancer when they get Scored on the seal mating surface. Its just a thin metal sleeve that fits over the nose, to restore the sealing surface...Absolutely useless to you.....
I hate to be a pick MARBOBJ, but if he uses "Anything" for a puller, the crankshaft sensor will surely be broken off......That balancer I believe is the same design as the 3800, and there is a special puller for it.
I hate to be a pick MARBOBJ, but if he uses "Anything" for a puller, the crankshaft sensor will surely be broken off......That balancer I believe is the same design as the 3800, and there is a special puller for it.
