Balancer bolt removal

[Mercury Mike]

What's the best/easiest way to get that big bolt off of the harmonic balancer? If the tranny's in park, will the engine still turn over? Also, when I put my new balancer on there, should I re-verify TDC on this balancer just to make sure? This weekend is looking up! =)

 

[nachoman]

you have to take the radiator out. In park, the engine should be locked well enough to just unscrew the bolt with a little leverage from a breaker bar. To get the balancer off, you need a puller, and the puller will not fit on there with the radiator or fan on the car. You may want to replace the timing cover seal while you are at it - but it is not necissary. If you are concerned, this may be an easy time to check for TDC. My philospohy is if there is something easy to do/chage while it is apart, you may as well do it and do it right. I have been burned too many times from having to take things apart to chage something I was too cheap to change while I was in there the first time!

kevin

 

[Mercury Mike]

The block is rebuilt, and the timing chain cover has a new gasket on it already. =) I guess it isn't new new anymore, maybe 6 months old. I have a puller, just wanna make sure that I can pull the bolt off with a breaker bar. I'll have it changed this weekend. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

When I took my balancer off, I took the front pulley off the balancer. Then stuck a small screwdriver in an open whole, put the socket on the bolt head and turned the fastener. The screwdriver will stop at the block and the bolt will beable to be turned.
Hope this helps,
Ken
I also did not remove the radiator, but I have small hands. Save 3 hours and do not remove the radiator, if you can avoid it.

 

[mjpchief]

Remove the radiator. It will save you knocking a hole in it and having to pay someone to fix it. Then use an air impact wrench to take the bolt out. You will then have room to use the impact wrench on the puller to take the balancer off and also to reinstall it. If it takes someone 3 hours to remove and replace a radiator I am glad that they are not working for me by the hour.

 

[Anonymous]

You right mjpchief,
I'd fire a guy that took 3 hours to remove the radiator, too.
Ken

 

[james singleton]

Since this post is about removing the harmonic balancer bolt with a vehicle that has an automatic transmission; what about a manual transmission. Any different? Would you just put the transmission in gear? You wouldn't damage any gears would you? Just curious in case I need to pull my harmonic balancer!

 

[Anonymous]

Naw, set the emergency brake, and put it in reverse, at least if the car moves, it will move away from you.
Good luck,
Ken

 

[Mercury Mike]

I can have that rad out in what, 15 minutes? =) The longest part is probably actually lifting it out of the engine bay. I don't know if my grandpa's compressor is strong enough to pull it. Isn't the torque on that bolt something like 100 ft/lbs? I was hoping I could do it at home with a breaker bar. Thanks guys.

 

[wallaka]

Well yah you could do it with a breaker bar, but impact makes it sooo much faster and easier.

 

[Mercury Mike]

I'll do my best. =)

 

[Lazy JW]

Impact tools are wonderful gadgets, I use them at work every day. I still don't own any myself though. Just never could justify the expense for no more mechanic work than I do. Most of my tools fit in an old Craftsman tool box that I bought 30 years ago. It is so full I can barely lift it but I can do most of my work with no more tools than that.
The special tools such as micrometers, ring compressor, and pullers I keep elsewhere.

I have steadfastly refused to do auto mechanic work for pay. Takes all the fun out of it. If I want to take 3 hours to pull a radiator, I jolly well will.

A breaker bar will do just fine.
Joe

 

[Mercury Mike]

=) I've got a couple, but they're my grandpa's old ones. Chicago Pneumatic.