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Harmonic Balancer

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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 03:29 PM
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Default Harmonic Balancer

My belt started chirping last week so I checked the balancer and sure enough it is wobbling. So I am in the process of gathering all the tools and parts needed for the repair. My car is a 99 coupe with a MN6 and there are 3 weights in the current balancer. I am looking at 1 of 2 balancers, both from Powerbond. One is the PB1117N and the other is the PB1117SS. One looks like OEM and I assume would accept the weights while the other does not. So the question is, do I go OEM (PB1117N) and replace the weights or the PB1117SS and forget about the weights. I am not interested in underdrive at this time. Thanks.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mike
My belt started chirping last week so I checked the balancer and sure enough it is wobbling. So I am in the process of gathering all the tools and parts needed for the repair. My car is a 99 coupe with a MN6 and there are 3 weights in the current balancer. I am looking at 1 of 2 balancers, both from Powerbond. One is the PB1117N and the other is the PB1117SS. One looks like OEM and I assume would accept the weights while the other does not. So the question is, do I go OEM (PB1117N) and replace the weights or the PB1117SS and forget about the weights. I am not interested in underdrive at this time. Thanks.
You're going to get a lot of different replies probably.
Before going into too much explanation, let me ask:
do you know what the purpose is of those weights in your stock balancer?
Do you understand when and why they were installed at the factory during the engine build?
This will hopefully help with your decision, or at least allow you to make an educated decision.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by thbwlZ
You're going to get a lot of different replies probably.
Before going into too much explanation, let me ask:
do you know what the purpose is of those weights in your stock balancer?
Do you understand when and why they were installed at the factory during the engine build?
This will hopefully help with your decision, or at least allow you to make an educated decision.
I do not.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by thbwlZ
You're going to get a lot of different replies probably.
Before going into too much explanation, let me ask:
do you know what the purpose is of those weights in your stock balancer?
Do you understand when and why they were installed at the factory during the engine build?
This will hopefully help with your decision, or at least allow you to make an educated decision.
Ok. After reviewing some older threads, in order to maintain the original factory hot balance, I should transfer the weights to an oem style balancer. If I choose a different one, It should be ok, however I might get some more vibration in the shifter etc.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mike
Ok. After reviewing some older threads, in order to maintain the original factory hot balance, I should transfer the weights to an oem style balancer. If I choose a different one, It should be ok, however I might get some more vibration in the shifter etc.
You are correct. Also, please either buy or make a tool to correctly install the balancer, I don't want to read another "I messed up my crank threads" thread. DO NOT use a longer bolt to install the balancer.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by frodo84
You are correct. Also, please either buy or make a tool to correctly install the balancer, I don't want to read another "I messed up my crank threads" thread. DO NOT use a longer bolt to install the balancer.
I absolutely will. Am working on all tools and parts before I start.
Thanks.
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Old Jan 11, 2015 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by frodo84
You are correct. Also, please either buy or make a tool to correctly install the balancer, I don't want to read another "I messed up my crank threads" thread. DO NOT use a longer bolt to install the balancer.

Good answer, all the way around.
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Old Jan 14, 2015 | 01:23 PM
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Mike the biggest pain is the steering rack. get a flair nut crows foot to remove the lines from the steering rack, I would also get the arp balancer bolt.........
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Old Jan 14, 2015 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by TOPCATHR
Mike the biggest pain is the steering rack. get a flair nut crows foot to remove the lines from the steering rack, I would also get the arp balancer bolt.........
Got the bolt. I have a flare wrench, will look for a crows foot. Thanks for the reply.
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Old Jan 14, 2015 | 06:57 PM
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I replaced my HB with a powerbond balancer. I replaced both tensioners and pulleys. Auto zone has the removal and installation tool to use for free. $100 deposit you get back when you return it. Alls good but right after start up I hear a chirping/squeaking and then it goes away once warmed up. Balancer is true with no wobble and like I said all new pulleys and tensioners including belts. Any clue!
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Old Jan 15, 2015 | 09:49 AM
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Simply transferring the weights may or may not work. You need to actually measure the offset balance of the existing balancer and match the new one to that. For all you know, the old balancer itself was manufactured out of spec, and the weights brought it back to neutral balance.

Last edited by wcsinx; Jan 15, 2015 at 10:31 AM.
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Old Jan 15, 2015 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 99mike
Got the bolt. I have a flare wrench, will look for a crows foot. Thanks for the reply.
Be sure to secure the steering wheel. This will help keep your swps happy.
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