Harmonic balance?

[ddmau]

The '85 developed what sounded like a water pump or alternator bearing, but couldn't tell. The local shop thought it was the idler, but later decided it was the harmonic balancer which they will replace tomorrow. Does anyone have experience with this problem?:confused

 

[Ken]

When I pulled the stock L-98, I discovered that the outer ring of the torsion damper had shifted and was almost scraping the timing cover.

_ken

 

[JonM]

There was someone on hear a couple weeks ago. Their harmonic balancer was cracked in half.

 

[Grzldvt]

As Ken said, it is a 2 part balancer, inner and outer, with a rubber/nylon ring separating the 2 parts. As the mileage builds the outer ring has a tendency to slide back and rub against the timing cover. Mine went at 165K. Baffled me for awhile. I read somewhere to remove the belt and start the car. It was pretty obvious at that point what it was.

 

[evolution]

I just had that happen to me. The outer wieght had seperated from the rubber and was creating all kinds of noise rubbing on the timing cover.

I yanked it off (real easy job) and went to put the old one on and the puller had damaged the crank threads (my fault :duh ) and this is where the nightmare began.

I went to a local NAPA and the "lady" at the counter gave me the wrong bolts (wich were longer in hope to catch enough thread to start pressing the new balancer back on). This bolt totally destroyed the threads and my next step was to Heli-coil the crank.

Now I needed to make some room. I ended up having to remove the tranny and water radiator and the rack'N'pinion to create just enough clearance to get a drill in there.

I got the correct bolts and finally got the balancer back on.

This job should have only taken 1/2 ~ 1 hour but it ended up taking a week. ad

 

[BigRed]

I had to replace mine as well. But I think it was because after the last owner rebuilt my engine he didn't install the HD correct. Anyways mine was SMASHED so I had to replace. Noticable difference after that.

 

[ddmau]

Wow Evolution, what a nightmare. Makes me glad I let the local shop do the job in a couple of hours, including waiting on the part. This doesn't include putting my idler back on. Anyway, runs great now. :cool

 

[Bill's86Coupe]

I went through the same problems and I did the job myself at home.With the right tools its a very easy job,however,I had problems finding a longer threaded bolt to use as an installer,so I gave up and ordered a balancer installer tool from summit racing and it was a BREEZE to press the new balancer back on.

It was made by Moroso and is a quality tool,no one anywhere I lived carried an installer tool,let alone screws I could use for homemade install.So i have a 40 dollar tool I used once but sure will come in handy for future jobs if needed for other cars or mine again.

For some people,I have to say if youve never done this before and arent feeling positive you can do this at home,let a shop do it since it isnt a big job and wont rack up too much labor unless youre at the rip off places.