Harmonic balancer that won't budge

[dhardison]

I'm trying to remove my harmonic balancer but the sucker won't budge. I have a decent puller, but when trying to remove it using hand tools the engine just turns over. I've tried with my air tools as well but it won't move.

Any tips, thoughts?

Thanks,
Dan

[Norwoodx55]

Maybe a little heat right around the center of the balancer. I wouldn't use too much though. Unless you won't re-use it. Have somebody wedge a large screwdriver between the ring gear teeth and trans. alignment dowels to keep the flywheel/crank from turning. Just a couple of suggestions.
Brett

[dhardison]

Maybe a little heat right around the center of the balancer. I wouldn't use too much though. Unless you won't re-use it. Have somebody wedge a large screwdriver between the ring gear teeth and trans. alignment dowels to keep the flywheel/crank from turning. Just a couple of suggestions.
Brett

Thanks Brett, I'll give the heat idea a try. I'm tossing the balancer (if I ever get it off the crank), so I'm not worried about damaging it. I have a manual with a blowproof bellhousing so I cannot get to the flywheel. I've considered leaving the trans in 1st gear and having someone hold the brake. It's worth a try I guess, but I dunno if the clutch will hold.

Thanks again!

[importkiller69ss]

i had the same probem on my sb...i put a pry bar in the holes ont eh balancer and had someone hold it tight so i wouldnt mess it up and then got an air wrench on it...came right off

[dhardison]

i had the same probem on my sb...i put a pry bar in the holes ont eh balancer and had someone hold it tight so i wouldnt mess it up and then got an air wrench on it...came right off

Thanks Killer, my air wrench sucks the big one and won't even come close to doing the job. You get what you pay for I guess.....

[Rick Dorion]

I had to put a breaker bar on one of my balancer bolts ( I put a grade 8 bolt in first!) to lock the motor from turning. Then I was able to use my puller to remove it. At first it was very hard and I was wondering if the balancer was going to start coming off even though I used moly paste when I installed.

[Cheatin'Chad]

Thanks Brett, I'll give the heat idea a try. I'm tossing the balancer (if I ever get it off the crank), so I'm not worried about damaging it. I have a manual with a blowproof bellhousing so I cannot get to the flywheel. I've considered leaving the trans in 1st gear and having someone hold the brake. It's worth a try I guess, but I dunno if the clutch will hold.

Thanks again!

This is a bit low rent but:
Use your highest gear (an OD ratio would be best) to help break the bolt free. Using first gear will give you more mechanical advantage. Making it easier to turn the motor over while trying to remove the damper.

Best thing to do is use a flywheel tool to hold make sure you get no movement.That is alot more work but the best way to do it.