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Stubborn harmonic damper removal

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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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Default Stubborn harmonic damper removal

I have used the proper harmonic damper removal tool but without success. I stopped when I needed to rotate the 1/2" drive a half a turn more using a 1" wrench over the end of the drive for extra leverage. It's a Streetdampr I want to reuse so I can't apply any heat. Any tricks of the trade to get this off without destroying something?
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 06:21 PM
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Keep going, your only choice.

Here is a pic of a proper one.
I've used a 3 ft breaker bar with it before.
It also has a cone that turns at the base of the rod.
I use molyd oil on the threads and cone. Some may bind quite a bit in the threads without good lube.

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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 06:51 PM
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Thanks, Noonie. My removal tool is the same as yours but not quite as robust and made offshore. So, damn the torpedos and go at it again with some lubricated threads.
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Old Mar 17, 2012 | 10:23 PM
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I find an impact wrench works best. I think its the vibration that helps pop it loose.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 07:48 AM
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I was thinking about using an impact wrench but wasn't sure if it would do any damage. Thanks.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by noonie
Keep going, your only choice.

Here is a pic of a proper one.
I've used a 3 ft breaker bar with it before.
It also has a cone that turns at the base of the rod.
I use molyd oil on the threads and cone. Some may bind quite a bit in the threads without good lube.


Lubricate the threads and cone and as mentioned if you have access to an impact wrench they will make things easier.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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One thing I have found that helps the most, if you have the room, is to hit the end of the puller hard with a big hammer while there is a lot of tension on it. Never needed it on a balancer, but works well on pitman arms and front end joints.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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I've had to do that couple of times.. Put some good pressure on it, then a good solid swat with a large hammer.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 02:00 PM
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STOP! tighten it up until you feel some pressure, get a BIG HAMMER and WHACK! the center bolt of the damper removal tool. This should shock any chemical bonding (rust) between the damper and the crank snout. Keep going little by little until it frees up (you also might want to try to use PB Blaster or Kroil lubricant spraying in the crank snout and pulling the timing cover forward and hitting the back side with some.)

This shock method also works with the infamous Kent Moore rear spindle bearing removal tool, where if you try to impact off the spindle, you end up bending the caliper mounting bracket.
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Old Mar 18, 2012 | 05:18 PM
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Got 'er done! Wasn't too keen on the bfh except as a last resort. So, I greased the threads and cone with EP wheel bearing grease and screwed it in with an impact wrench. Worked like a charm! Thanks to all for your advice.
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