Harmonic balancer spins free
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
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From: Houston
Harmonic balancer spins free
89 351
I started my engine this morning and it shook the bronco so bad bolts started falling out. I pop the hood with the engine off and looked at the harmoni balancer. It was not in the same place that it should be. I wiggled it with my fingers and it spins freely. What could posible be happening. I dont even see anything that the balancer can bolt to? Do I just remove the main pully and put another one on? If so is it pressed on? or bolted on? please any suggestions.
I started my engine this morning and it shook the bronco so bad bolts started falling out. I pop the hood with the engine off and looked at the harmoni balancer. It was not in the same place that it should be. I wiggled it with my fingers and it spins freely. What could posible be happening. I dont even see anything that the balancer can bolt to? Do I just remove the main pully and put another one on? If so is it pressed on? or bolted on? please any suggestions.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Olympia USA
The Harmonic balancer is keyed to the crankshaft and held on be a 13/16" bolt theaded through the center onto the end of the crankshaft. Are you sure it's the balnace spinning freely? If it is, you are in for a lot of work.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
The harmonic balancer is a two-piece unit connected by a rubber ring. If the whole balancer is spinning, then replacing just the balancer won't help. If the ring is gone then you can just buy a new balancer.
Removing it is pretty easy, but you either need a heavy duty impact wrench (at least 1/2") or a way of stopping the engine from rotating while you loosen the balancer nut. If I don't have an impact wrench, I will remove the starter and cram a screwdriver in there. The flywheel (or flexplate) teeth are pretty tough, so I wouldn't worry about damaging them if you do this.
Once you get the nut off, the balancer just slides off. There is a small key (really just a cube-shaped piece of steel) that fits into a keyway on the end of the crankshaft. Make sure you don't loose that key, it's small and easy to drop.
On a scale of 1-10, this is about a 2.
Removing it is pretty easy, but you either need a heavy duty impact wrench (at least 1/2") or a way of stopping the engine from rotating while you loosen the balancer nut. If I don't have an impact wrench, I will remove the starter and cram a screwdriver in there. The flywheel (or flexplate) teeth are pretty tough, so I wouldn't worry about damaging them if you do this.
Once you get the nut off, the balancer just slides off. There is a small key (really just a cube-shaped piece of steel) that fits into a keyway on the end of the crankshaft. Make sure you don't loose that key, it's small and easy to drop.
On a scale of 1-10, this is about a 2.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Thanks so much. The balancer is spinning and a rubber like a thick vacum cleaner belt fell on the ground all burnt up. I have orderd a new balancer should be by here at 6.
That is great infomation, do you happen to know what size socket I will need for that bolt? I do have a 1/2" impact
That is great infomation, do you happen to know what size socket I will need for that bolt? I do have a 1/2" impact
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
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From: Longview, TX
Like he said 13/16. I did not have an impact wrench when I removed mine so I attached a breaker bar to the socket and stuck it in hole in passenger side frame. Pulled the coil wire. Turned the key to nudge the starter slightly. Worked fine. Be careful not to damage the first thread in the crank like I did or you will need a 5/8 fine thread tap. That took some hunting.
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