The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Harmonic Balancer stuck on 235

Can't get the balancer to budge, am using a good quality Snap-on puller.Help
Len

The hole in the balancer is pretty small, and if you're using a puller with a pretty good sized cone you might be pushing against the balancer instead of the crankshaft. Put a 1/2" drive 5/8" deep socket into the hole in the balancer and push against the square drive hole with the puller jackscrew. Use an impact wrench on the puller jackscrew and make sure the thread is well lubricated. I use Never-Seez on the puller threads.
Jerry

Once you have your puller set up, while pulling, when it's good and taut, take a hammer and just tap on the outer edge of the balancer. It will walk right off.

ya know Jerry, I used to work in Chignik Alaska, there was a sign in the mouthwash section of the store, that said "MOUTHWASH IS NOT FOR DOING SHOTS" apparently they had someone die from it at some point in the past.

Get some "DEEP CREEP" made by Seafoam and spray it in the center hole of the balancer. If there is any rust between the balancer and the crankshaft it will eat past it so the balancer will remove much easier. I tried all the other penetrating lubricants and even PB didn't touch it. In fact, an ear on my puller broke off the first time I tried it without the "DEEP CREEP." With the "DEEP CRREP" it came right off. Spray it and let it set overnight.

Hope this helps.

Tim

Tim,

Never heard of Deep Creep. Have used PB Blaster successfully in the past. Will pick up some Deep Creep to have on hand for those really hard to loosen items with the restoration of my 1958 Apache.

John

Hitting the rim of a balancer is a sure sign of an ignorant amateur. If you want to get the puller jackscrew tight against the crankshaft and hit the end of the jackscrew a hard lick with a BFH, that's OK, but never, ever hit the outer ring of a balancer.
Jerry

I agree with Hotrod on this, never hit the rim of a balancer, sheave or gear. Tighten the puller up as far as you feel it will go. Then start smacking the puller rod easy at first and work your way up slowly harder, until it frees.

Safety tip: "Stay out of the line of fire"

Don

Not sure why one would be using a finger puller in the balancer. Doing so pulls against the inner rubber cushion.

The balancer usually has bolt holes that the puller engages.

I learned everything you need to know about ruining a balancer when I was in High School. One of of those was Do Not Hit the outer portion of the balancer with anything, coming off or going on.
Carl

The vibration causes it to slide right off without hitting it hard at all. I do it whenever the need arises and only on these balancers since there are no downsides to it. Ignorance for some, innovation for others. Using a BFH for any of this process is truly ignorant. These things are press fit and not even very tightly. It's why a lot of us go with drilling the crank out for a center retaining bolt.

I have applied the Deep Creep going to give it a day or so and have another go at it.
Len

Have the Creep on there will give it a day or two before I try again.
Len

Left the Creep for a week and the balancer came off just fine.
Thanks again Guy's
Len