help with harmonic balancer
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
Hey all! I recently took my 2000 hardtop to the chevy dealer to get my balancer replaced. But they told me they needed to take some hoses off the steering column to get to it, and that they must be replaced once you take them off. Which of course ran up the price another $350 in parts. Can anyone confirm this?? thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,456
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Hey all! I recently took my 2000 hardtop to the chevy dealer to get my balancer replaced. But they told me they needed to take some hoses off the steering column to get to it, and that they must be replaced once you take them off. Which of course ran up the price another $350 in parts. Can anyone confirm this?? thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
At the time of removal, I had a severe oil leak from the main front seal. I didnt have any way to hold the old damper from turning durng removal. The pipe wrench worked excellent!!!
I found a nice used strap wrench that works OUTSTANDING for removal/reinatall.
I can remove and install the damper my self.
Note the home made install tool!!!!
You will need something like that also.BC
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Because considerable force is required to "press" the new harmonic balancer onto the crank. If you try to simply screw it on with the old balancer bolt there won't be enough thread length engaged which could yield the crank threads. Using the install tool allows you to engage all the crank threads before pressing the balancer onto the shaft using the nut and washers. Also, thread wear due to surface friction is to the tool, not the crankshaft.
Using a strap or, as the FSM recommends, a flywheel lock allows you to torque the bolt correctly. You simply can't get enough torque without isolation because the drivetrain absorbs too much of it.
Using a strap or, as the FSM recommends, a flywheel lock allows you to torque the bolt correctly. You simply can't get enough torque without isolation because the drivetrain absorbs too much of it.
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Mar 4, 2011 at 02:39 PM.
