In which case it would be difficult to drive and the engine would overheat fairly soon after. How long does it take to replace a harmonic balancer? On most engines, it takes a little over an hour.

Replacing a harmonic balancer is a three-step process. In many cases, the hardest part is removing the center crankshaft bolt. For that you’ll need the proper ½-in. drive size socket and an air, electric or battery power impact wrench.

10 signs of stock elastomer harmonic balancer wear.

• Cracked, bulging or missing rubber.
• Harmonic balancer wobbles.
• Separatation between the hub and outer ring.
• Timing marks slipped. Timing error code or mis-fire.
• Excessive wear on main bearings.
• Oil pump failure.
• Broken crankshaft.
• Loosening or broken bolts.

Over time, the crankshaft harmonic balancer can go bad from constant exposure to chemicals, the elements, or from old age. If this happens, the crankshaft may develop cracks and ultimately fail.

A faulty balancer can result in a knocking, rattling, or squeaking sound that corresponds with engine speed. In some cases, the noise is bad enough to be mistaken for an internal engine problem.

Start your engine and check the harmonic balancer to see if it wobbles while the engine is running. Take a flashlight and shine it directly onto the balancer to see if it goes in and out while rotating. If it wobbles, the harmonic balancer is bad. Turn off the ignition.

Harmonic balancers do have many names, though, such as damper, crankshaft pulley and crankshaft balancer, among others. While this part may not wear, or be known to wear, as quickly as a traditional idler pulley or belt tensioner, balancers do in fact wear and eventually must be replaced.

It pays to take some measurements from the crank snout and the balancer before you put it back together so you can tell if it’s fully seated. It’s fully seated when you reach full torque on the balancer bolt. Make sure that there are no burs on the inside surface of the balancer or on the crank snout.

How far should the harmonic balancer go on the crankshaft? When I tighten down the Harmonic balancer, it goes to about 1/4 inch from flush with the end of the crankshaft. Meaning that the balancer sticks out 1/4 inch past the crankshaft.

The position of the lower cam sprocket needs to be measured. However, the harmonic balancer has a shoulder where the bolt goes in. This shoulder should fit tight against the end of the cranks. Thus, it should not be able to go in too deep.

you want a couple thou clearance. It should just go on. Tight yes, but not tight enough to wreck any tools trying to get it on and off.

The only way to tighten the harmonic balancer bolt properly is to lock the motor up somehow and tighten it with a torque wrench to the correct tension. Which means usually wedging the flywheel some way. Or you could just use a impact wrench (rattle gun) and tighten it up really tight if you want the easy way out.

How to remove a harmonic balancer without a puller?

1. Access the harmonic balancer by removing the serpentine belt.
2. Find the center bolt and remove it using a socket.
3. Remove the pulley.
4. Remove the harmonic balancer using a durable strap.