The harmonic balancer is a part of the car’s engine. It is also known as a harmonic damper, takes energy from the engine vibrations and uses it to balance rotating assemblies in an internal combustion engine. Other features of the device include its metal exterior and rubber interior. The outside is usually aluminum, but it needs a special tool, called a harmonic balancer puller, to remove it from the crankshaft of your car’s motor because it has a rubber mounting to the crankshaft. A crankshaft pulley is a part of the vehicle’s engine that connects to the crank and drives the water pump and other accessories, such as an alternator. It also provides a mounting point for a belt that can power other components.
This article will walk you through how to use a harmonic balancer puller.
Step-by-Step Guide to Use a Harmonic Balancer Puller
Follow the below steps to use a harmonic balancer puller.
Step 1: Preparing Harmonic Balancer for Removing Serpentine Belt
Prepare for serpentine belt removal from the lower crankshaft pulley by setting up under the hood and removing any access panels that could be in the way when using your tool. Park on solid ground instead of an incline or hill so that you can balance yourself near the motor during removal.
Step 2: Applying Penetrating Lubricant
Apply penetrating lubricant liberally around all four rubber mounting lugs. You may need to wait a few moments for the penetrating lubricant to soak in by the damper.
Step 3: Inserting your Harmonic Balancer Puller
Insert your harmonic balancer puller into the hub of the balancer and position it about halfway between each mounting lug, so that two attachment points are balanced equally on both sides of the balancer. Once you have positioned your tool properly, snug down the harmonic balancer bolt from the crank pulley by hand until all four bolts are equally tight engine compartments and snug against the balancer mounting lugs.
Step 4: Using a Wrench
Use an impact wrench or torque wrench with an extension attached to remove each balancer bolt in turn from either side of the harmonic balancer pulley carefully so as not to damage adjacent components. Apply even pressure on all four bolts simultaneously while pulling the tool away from the engine until each pulley bolt has been removed. The balancer should now separate easily from the balancer pulley of your engine if you had used penetrating lubricant for the best results.
Step 5: Applying Harmonic Balancer Puller
Accumulate the harmonic balancer puller and use it to remove the harmonic balancer. It is extremely easy if you use a puller set. You may even have some trouble removing the old balancer if you didn’t use this installation tool as it can be very difficult to pry off of the crankshaft without damaging your engine or the balancer.
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Step 7: Fastening the Puller to the Harmonic Balancer
The puller has a threaded bolt that goes through its body and threads into tapped holes on one end of the “V” or triangle shaped base. Once you have that threaded, put a lock washer on the crank bolt and tighten it with a torque wrench. Repeat for the opposite side of the puller. The best way to accomplish this is by using a large screwdriver or pry bar for forcing screws. The tool will give you some leverage to open up the opening between the steering wheel and tire. Use caution when handling a large pry bar, as you can easily injure yourself.
Step 8: Installing New Harmonic Balancer
Clean your engine and install your new harmonic balancer into position ready for assembly on the rest of your car.
Conclusion:
The how-to guide above will show in detail how to use a balancer installation tool and how not using one, can cause damage to your engine while removing the stuck unit from its place. If you are not sure how to do it anyway, ask the mechanic or a friend how to use a harmonic balancer puller.