Who's wrong here...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 8
From: Killeen TX
St. Jude Donor '14
Who's wrong here...
took my car to a shop where the manager works on Vettes for the AC conversion.Then the water pump went bad and after replacing the pump the harmonic balancer was bad.I bought the new balancer and the manager called me and said the new one broke.I'm not a gearhead but the balancer looks like a round piece of steel.When I returned the balancer for exchange the parts manager said it broke due to being forced.Is this possible?Is there a specific way to install this piece? TIA
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
There is a tool for installing the balancer. I suppose if the inside of the balancer was painted it could be quite hard to install, also if the key was not correct damage could result. They are not to be hammered on although I have "helped" them a bit myself.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The inside of the balancer is friction fit to the nose of the crankshaft. The balancer (damper actually) will often need to be honed slightly to make sure that it isn't too tight. Yes there is a tool to pull it on, but if it isn't going on easily, then there might be a sizing issue. Never heard of one breaking though. You'll usually break the intalation tool (huge PIA by the way).
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Did the parts store do right and give you another one.I don't think the counter guy knows how it broke.He's just trying to get out from giving you another one.I don't know what store you got it from but I got an edlebrock 600 cfm carb from autozone and it was not right and I took it back and got a new one no questions asked.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 8
From: Killeen TX
St. Jude Donor '14
Did the parts store do right and give you another one.I don't think the counter guy knows how it broke.He's just trying to get out from giving you another one.I don't know what store you got it from but I got an edlebrock 600 cfm carb from autozone and it was not right and I took it back and got a new one no questions asked.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Maybe they tighten the A/C belt too much which put a lot of stress on the water pump shaft, then when they tried to fix that they missed with the balancer. Anyway, I am sure they are responsible of all these problems.
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Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,456
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
step 1: find a new repair shop.
you really have to try to screw up a balancer.... unless you're a total moron, and then it comes naturally.
come on, the AC? the water pump? and then the balancer? did you even get your car back between all these failures?
find another shop or the next time they call you it will be because the crank snout broke.
you really have to try to screw up a balancer.... unless you're a total moron, and then it comes naturally.
come on, the AC? the water pump? and then the balancer? did you even get your car back between all these failures?
find another shop or the next time they call you it will be because the crank snout broke.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
step 1: find a new repair shop.
you really have to try to screw up a balancer.... unless you're a total moron, and then it comes naturally.
come on, the AC? the water pump? and then the balancer? did you even get your car back between all these failures?
find another shop or the next time they call you it will be because the crank snout broke.
you really have to try to screw up a balancer.... unless you're a total moron, and then it comes naturally.
come on, the AC? the water pump? and then the balancer? did you even get your car back between all these failures?
find another shop or the next time they call you it will be because the crank snout broke.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
A balancer can be damaged during installation by having the outside portion move or shift relative to the hub. I've always drawn them on with the original or machine shop tapped hole.
The balancer is not a solid part it is designed to detune torsional vibrations in the crankshaft, that's why it has the thin rubber (or fluid on some aftermarket) layer between the hub and the tuning mass. That "soft" joint between the peices is what can lead to its being damaged.
The balancer is not a solid part it is designed to detune torsional vibrations in the crankshaft, that's why it has the thin rubber (or fluid on some aftermarket) layer between the hub and the tuning mass. That "soft" joint between the peices is what can lead to its being damaged.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
[PSA]Just to add, do not use the mounting bolt to put the balancer on the crank snout. If you do, you run the risk of pulling the threads out of the crank snout.[/PSA]
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
The trick is to use a threaded rod fully engaged in the crank threads and you will NEVER pull the threads out of the crank.
I figured most would know not to try pulling it with the standard retaining bolt.