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1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

2.9 harmonic balancer problem

Old Mar 1, 2004 | 09:23 PM
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2.9 harmonic balancer problem

HELP...I am trying in vain to get the harmonic balancer off of my 1991 ranger 4x4 with a 2.9 litre. I an using a proper harmonic balancer puller but it doesnt budge. It appears that the washer that sits behind the crank bolt is actually part of the pulley. I have tried everything to get it off but it wont budge! It doesnt make sense to me...has anyone come across this ? Any advice would be appreciated!
 
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 09:56 PM
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The washer should not be part of the pulley. If you can't get it off, it is probably rusted or stuck. Try a penetrant to see if it will help. Also, heat is a wonderful tool. Get it hot with a torch (have the fire extinguisher handy), a heat gun or even a hair dryer. WD-40 might work, but there are better penetrating oils. Sometimes, putting the "pull" on the pulley with the puller and "smacking" it with a rubber hammer will make it pop loose. Don't use a steel hammer. Keep us posted.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 10:34 PM
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thanks for the reply hreed..no luck removing that washer though...i used penetrating oil and heat and wacked it with a chizel ... it is solid. i am sure it is part of the balancer but it doesnt make sense that it would be like that! there has to be another procedure for this but i cant find it anywhere!
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 09:02 PM
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Just to be sure we are talking about the same thing. You are taking off the crankshaft pulley that has two grooves for belts. Is that correct? It is located on the bottom front of the engine. There is one large bolt holding it on the crankshaft. Is the radiator removed? When I pulled mine a while back, after removing the bolt, it slid off with just a little tapping. Didn't need a puller. You might try to see if the end of the crankshaft is spread out and holding the pulley tight. It should not be that difficult to get off with a puller. Keep us posted.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2004 | 10:28 PM
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thanks again hreed, but i have found the info i was looking for. It was the harmonic balancer that i was trying to get off...the big round heavy piece that the pulley is attached to. I needed to get it off so i could change the timing chain. After a lot of detective work i found out that i wasnt crazy after all and that the piece behind the crankshaft bolt that looks like a washer is actually pressed into the harmonic balancer and doesnt easily come off. What you have to do is find a bolt that is longer than the crank bolt and put it into the end of the crank. Then you thread a harmonic balancer puller against the bolt until it comes out. I dont know why some are like that and some arent, but if you ever come across this style of balancer you will know what i am talking about....just glad to have it done!
 
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 09:17 PM
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Sometimes all it takes is a bigger hammer or a longer bolt! Glad to hear you have the problem solved. Make sure you change out the gears too. Just changing the chain will mean you will be back doing it again real soon. And don't use a cam gear that has the plastic teeth. Get steel gears for the cam and crank.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 10:11 PM
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one step ahead of ya hreed!...thanks
 
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