Can a harmonic balancer be rebuilt?

Category: automotive auto parts
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It is not due to the seal being faulty. Instead, the groove allows for oil to migrate out. The good news is, the harmonic balancer can easily be repaired with a kit that usually retails for under $10.



Also know, what happens if your harmonic balancer goes bad?

If the harmonic balancer gets too old or fails and can no longer properly absorb the harmonic vibrations, the engine will shake excessively. The shaking will become even more pronounced, and therefore dangerous to the engine at high speeds.

Similarly, how much does it cost to replace a harmonic balancer? Cost of Harmonic Balancer Replacement A factory replacement part costs about $261 and a Dayco part costs about $111. The total harmonic balancer replacement cost would be around $251 using OE parts and about $201 using aftermarket parts.

Accordingly, how do I know if my harmonic balancer is bad?

Signs of a Bad Crankshaft Harmonic Balancer

  1. Increased Engine Vibration.
  2. Disrupted Timing Marks.
  3. Detached Harmonic Balancer.
  4. Loud Noise from The Engine Bay.
  5. Rubber Ring Going Bad.
  6. Check Belts.
  7. Listen for Irregular Beats.

Will harmonic balancer cause knock?

The harmonic balancer should not wobble at all. Before you condemn the motor for having rod or crankshaft knock you should have the crankshaft harmonic balancer checked for a broken one. If it is bad then it can cause a loud knocking noise.

25 Related Question Answers Found

Can you drive with a bad harmonic balancer?

It's not okay to drive with a bad harmonic balancer. The bouncing crankshaft will wear on the main bearings. It can also tear up drive belts and possibly come apart posing a danger to people and property.

Do I need to replace my harmonic balancer?

Signs that your crankshaft harmonic balancer needs to be replaced include: The engine is loud and you feel vibrations coming from your engine. The pulley belt may slip causing your vehicle to backfire or misfire. The vehicle's ignition timing will be off.

Can you start a car without a harmonic balancer?

It will run, and you probably won't notice its missing. Its not a balancer, its a damper, and it keeps the crankshaft from experiencing large displacement torsional vibrations, which cause fatigue of the metal. Just don't run it too long. you must have at least the hub in place so that it will not puke the oil.

Why does my harmonic balancer wobble?

Failure to do may cause misalignment and galling. Excessive belt tension. An over-tightened belt may cause crankshaft snout runout and harmonic balancer wobble.

Is crankshaft pulley same as harmonic balancer?


A harmonic balancer is a front end accessory drive component that is connected to the crankshaft of an engine. Harmonic balancers do have many names, though, such as damper, crankshaft pulley and crankshaft balancer, among others.

Can you replace a crankshaft without removing the engine?

Although crankshafts are traditionally removed after the engine has been pulled from the engine bay, it is possible to remove the crankshaft without pulling the engine.

Can a bad harmonic balancer cause a misfire?

The harmonic balancer also acts as a pulley for your vehicle's drive belts so when it begins to fail your engine's belts may slip, operate noisily or become damaged. You may experience this as an inability to accelerate efficiently, dips in fuel economy and engine misfiring or backfiring.

How does a harmonic balancer work?

Your car's harmonic balancer absorbs engine vibrations and keeps them at a safe level. As the cylinders in your engine fire, they move up and down, generating torque that's transferred into the crankshaft.

How do you diagnose a bad crankshaft pulley?

Below are the top 5 symptoms of a bad car crankshaft pulley.
  1. 1) Engine Vibrations. The first symptom that will likely come up are engine vibrations.
  2. 2) Alternator Failure. The crankshaft pulley is responsible for powering the alternator.
  3. 3) Power Steering Pump Failure.
  4. 4) Transmission Damage.
  5. 5) Irregular Idle Engine Speed.

What causes the crank pulley to wobble?


Perhaps when they were installed (or re-installed following service), some dirt was trapped under the pulley and/or they were torqued improperly, causing the wobble. With the fan-belt pulley removed you'll be able to examine the harmonic balancer more closely for damage.

How do you balance a crankshaft?

The big end of the rods and the rod bearings rotate around the crankshaft centerline, and therefore represent the rotating mass. During the balancing process, bobweights are bolted to each rod journal to simulate the mass of a pair of pistons and rods.

How do you remove crankshaft pulley?

You may also use a bolt-removing tool on the bolt's head. You just have to place one end on the bolt-removing tool and slacken the bolt using an impact wrench. With the bolts included in your tool, you may now tighten the bolt remover tool. Keep doing this step until the crankshaft pulley is finally released.

What makes a harmonic balancer go bad?

The balancer is two concentric hubs with a rubber flexible coupling between them. The balancer goes "bad" when something happens to that rubber coupling that causes the outer hub to "wobble." If the wobble is severe enough it will cause the main belt to start "chirping" and will eventually throw the belt.

What does a harmonic balancer puller do?

How to Use a Harmonic Balancer Puller. A harmonic balancer, or vibration dampener, attaches to the front of the crankshaft of a car's engine. It is designed to reduce the vibrations of the engine, both making it quieter and extending its useful life.

What does a crankshaft pulley do?


The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) is mounted on the end of the crankshaft. Its purpose is to turn the drive belts that operate the engine accessories (alternator, air conditioning compressor, etc.)

Does a crankshaft pulley have a bearing?

There is no bearing on the crankshaft pulley (AKA harmonic balancer). It has a rubber core separating the crank from the pulley.