Question on pulling vibration dampener

[Anonymous]

OK guys, please forgive the ignorance here...
It's been a long time since I attended UTI and/or turned wrenches on a regular basis, but something came flashing back to me when I got ready to pull the 2-piece (rubber center) vibration dampener off the engine I just got a couple months ago. (A forum member needs a dampener, and I have a solid A/C set for my car, was pulling for him).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it an inherently bad idea to use a 3-jaw puller on one of these, as you could run the possibility of separating the out ring from the center hub by applying the pulling force to the outside ring only?

The engine is brand new, so it can't heat or corrosion siezed, as it has never been ran. But, how much force can that outer ring safely take?

Isn't there a puller that applies the force to the center hub? Wasn't that type of puller a flat piece with slots going out radially from the center that bolts went through into the balancer, and a center stub that applied the pulling force at the center hub? I seem to vaguely remember one like that from my younger days.

Just want to make sure, before I accidentally trash a perfectly good brand new dampener.

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[LameHoof65]

Yes, to all of it. Yes you need to use a bolt in 3 slotted puller to the center piece of the dampner and yes if you clamp anything to the outside of the pulley and pull you run the risk of separating the whole works. Uh, ask me how I know this.....Fortunately it was no great loss as the thing had broken bolt flanges as well, but still it was the first time I had actually pulled one and didn't see the liklihood until it came apart. Yea, it pays to ask if in doubt.

 

[61Futura]

Another precaution is to not remove the bolt all the way from the crankshaft. Just back it out a few turns and pull the pulley until it hits the bolt. then loosen the bolt some more, etc. etc.. Otherwise you will likely damage the start of the threads in the crankshaft when you do the pulling with the bolt completely removed.

 

[dmsmith55]

Just be sure the big thick washer isn't stuck to the balancer. Don't ask ; I have disassembled +/- 20 engines over the years, but this last time, in a hurry, put on my puller with the washer still there. Couldn't figure out why it wouldn't come off :roll:

 

[MercuryMarc]

Will a 2 bolt steering wheel puller work?

 

[Bort62]

I have used a large 3 jaw puller without problems. A proper Damper puller would probably be better.

A 2 bolt steeringwheel puller would probably work if the slots and thread size line up.