Removing Harmonic Balancer - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

weeman · 02-28-2004, 18:55

I'm trying to remove my harmonic balancer so I can install a new timing chain and vernier cam gear. Problem is I can't manage to undo the bolt holding the balancer on. I have tried threading two bolts into the balancer and holding them with a bar, but even high tensile bolts still bend before the bolt moves. I would use a rattle gun but can't fit it in between the balancer and the AC condenser.

Is there an easy way to undo this bolt?

Thanks,

Brendan

Supa R00 · 02-28-2004, 19:15

Get a long breaker bar with the appropriate socket size on the end... the breaker bar should be long enough to secure somewhere safe and underneath some metal... make sure the socket is on nice and tight on the bolt and just twist the key so the engine just barely kicked over... u kno, just "crack" it (your not trying to start the car just crack the bolt) this should have loosened it enuf to be able to undo it. IMPORTANT!!!--- make sure the breaker bar is secured somewhere nice, away from the radiator, cause as u just turn the engine over u dont want it coming out a damaging the raidator. ohh yeh and make sure u have the breaker bar to the right side of the car other wise u will tighten the bolt

cheers, shannon.

Rmyers · 02-28-2004, 21:24

Undoing the bolt is the easy part, without a quality harmonic balancer removal tool, the hard part will be sliding it off the crank shaft, though this seems to depend on the car...

yeah right · 02-28-2004, 21:24

Ummmm - you have checked to make sure it's not a left handed thread right?

Supa R00 · 02-28-2004, 22:25

I think you would probably be best getting a mechanic to do it, if its possible.... cause like rymers sed u gonna need a good HB puller kit... can be a biatch trying to get the bolts to line up!!!

weeman · 02-29-2004, 00:49

Well I've finally got the balancer off.

Couldn't try your trick Supa R00 cause may heads off at the moment. I un-done the mounting bolts for the AC condenser and was able to move it back just far enough to get the rattle gun in. With the rattle gun the bolt came loose straight away.

I had already purchased a harmonic balancer puller kit from super-cheap for $25, however had to buy three new bolts for it. The bolts provided in the kit had the wrong thread!

So now the harmonic balancer has been removed. Thanks for your suggestions.

Regards,

Brendan

Mike Gayner · 02-29-2004, 00:54

Super Roo isnt the HB bolt left hand thread? You're bloody luck you didnt try to buzz it off with the motor coz more than likely you would have taken the head clean off the bolt.

Moran · 02-29-2004, 02:40

I had a similar problem with a damn cheap supercheap harmonic balance puller it had bolts with corret thread but there were ony 2 of them we had to get another bolt the right length. damn cheap chinese crap :(

ebs_4l · 02-29-2004, 04:32

hb bolt is right hand thread, that is the easiest way to get em undone...

mongrelEB · 03-02-2004, 00:30

Yeh it's a r/h thread, that keeps getting me as well :) Always convinced it's l/h but it never is....