Everything You Need To Know About Car Harmonic Balancer

A device which would be connected to the engine’s crankshaft so that it would be able to reduce the vibration’s negative impact on the crankshaft is known as a harmonic balancer. Majority of energy would be absorbed which is produced during engine use because this device is the engine compartment’s first element which would be connected to the shaft. When this energy would be absorbed, then only the harmonic balancer would start failing and then it would prevent the failure in the catastrophic engine.

Are you searching for the different types of harmonic balancer? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

1. Elastomer - The crankshaft hub would be connected to the rubber material as well as the inertia ring or weight, which would control a lot of vibration. This type of damper would be utilized to stock applications, but there are some aftermarket manufacturers which would offer tuned elastomer designs which would be peculiarly tuned to better handle top notch performance applications.
2. Viscous or fluid - This type of technology would include a thick fluid, often silicone, between an inertia ring as well as outer housing. The vibration would cause the inertia ring and outer housing to spin back and forth and then out of phase with each other, then there would be a creation of shearing action which would be within the fluid in between.
3. Friction-style - Now the third design would utilize a set of clutch discs so that the vibration can be controlled. If the style as well as the size of the internal clutch discs would vary along with the spring-loaded pressure of these discs, then the manufacturers would be able to easily tune these dampers to an rpm range.

Are you searching how do the harmonic balancer actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

The harmonic balancer is generally made up of two parts, they are:

1. The section which would connect to the crankshaft
2. The energy dissipating constituent

There would be a rubber insulator which would be installed between the two pieces with the mass being constructed so that the vibrations which are created by the rotation of the crankshaft can be absorbed. These vibrations would be produced each and every time the related engine cylinders would fire, which would start imparting torque to the shaft. Now if the stress which has been created by the crankshaft would be exceeded by what the balancer would be designed to withstand, then it would start failing prior to the shaft or other major component would also fail. There are would an up to a 2-degree twist in the shaft if there would be no installation of the harmonic balancer. It would lead to a negative impact on the ignition and cam timing, valve opening, as well as overall engine performance. This is the reason why it is recommended that the harmonic balancer should be checked on a regular basis so that it can be replaced if there is any requirement. It would help in preventing additional damage to the car engine.

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the harmonic balancer? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the harmonic balancer:

Toque would be applied to the crankshaft each time the cylinders in the engine would start firing. There would be particular speeds, when the torque would be in sync with the cylinders, and then it would start creating resonance. It would then cause a lot of stress for the crankshaft. If there would be continuity of the stress, then there would be a breakage of the crankshaft and then your car would not operate properly. It is very essential to balance the vibrations and resonance, and then for that mass element would resist the acceleration of the vibrations and then the energy element would start absorbing them.

With the passage of time, the crankshaft harmonic balancer can start turning bad because of constant exposure to chemicals, the elements, or from old age. Now if this would happen, then there would be cranks in the crankshaft and then it would fail. Just keep in mind that you should not ignore this issue as it would only make it worse and then ultimately leading to extensive repairs.

Here are some signs which would indicate that the crankshaft harmonic balancer would require replacement:

• The engine might be loud and you might start feeling vibrations coming from your engine
• There can be slipping pulley belt which might cause the automobile to backfire or misfire
• The ignition timing of the automobile might be off
• The car might not start at all

There are a few things which might cause your harmonic balancer to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad harmonic balancer:

1. Engine vibration - The first symptom which is related to an issue with the harmonic balancer would be the engine vibration. The harmonic balancer is designed in such a way that it can absorb harmonic engine vibrations as the speed of the engine would rise. Now if the harmonic balancer would get too old or would start failing, then it won’t be able to absorb the harmonic vibrations and then it would give rise to the car engine shaking excessively.
2. Misaligned timing marks - One another symptom of faulty harmonic balancer would be the misaligned timing marks. The harmonic balancers which are created in a lot of automobiles are constructed as two pieces of metal with a rubber layer in between to dampen the vibrations. Now if the layers would separate or slip, the timing marks, which are generally stamped into the front of the pulley, then it can shift and thus throw off the placement of the timing marks.
3. Separated harmonic balancer - A separated harmonic balancer is one another serious symptom of some issues with the harmonic balancer. Full harmonic balancer would completely fail by separating if the rubber layer in the harmonic balancer would dry or wear out.

Are you thinking of repairing your Harmonic Balancer on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Harmonic Balancer. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work:

• Breaker bar (½” drive)
• Combination wrench set
• Floor Jack
• Gear puller
• Jack stands
• New harmonic balancer
• Screwdriver set
• Socket set (½” drive)
• Strap wrench
• Torque wrench (½” drive)

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for Harmonic Balancer.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Harmonic Balancer related parts.

• Harmonic Balancer Bolt

If you are looking for Harmonic Balancer Replacement Cost”, Harmonic Balancer Replacement Labour Cost”, “Average Cost of Harmonic Balancer Swap” or “How Much Does It Cost to Replace A Car Harmonic Balancer then keep on reading further! If you are seeing blown Harmonic Balancer signs from your vehicle, then it means that a repair bill is coming. More than other failures on a car, there is nothing that is like a faulty Harmonic Balancer. Now if your car Harmonic Balancer goes bad, then it would cause a lot of issues in the functioning of your car and it would turn into an abandoned home. Don’t worry and just think about the happiness when an empty shell would become whole again and much better than it was earlier through quality Harmonic Balancer replacement. Keep in mind that the Harmonic Balancer replacement cost would depend upon the type of automobile, brand, as well as various other factors. If you want to substitute your harmonic balancer, then it would generally range between $100 – $400. Talking about the work expenses, they would range between $100 – $250.

Do you want to change your harmonic balancer on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the harmonic balancer below:

Step 1

• The first and foremost step is to prepare the automobile. The vehicle should be jacked up high enough so that you will be able to get access to the harmonic balancer, which is situated on the front of the motor and at the same time it is attached to the crankshaft.

Step 2

• If there are any accessory drive belts, then they should be removed. There are a lot of latest vehicles, which have an automatic, spring-loaded belt tensioner which can be rotated so that the belt can be loosened up. You might require an open-end wrench or ratchet handle; it all depends upon the design.

Step 3

• After that the harmonic balancer bolt should be removed. The harmonic balancer bolt should be removed by utilizing a strap wrench to hold the balancer still. Make sure to hold it still while loosening the bolt with a socket as well as a ratchet handle or breaker bar. It might be very tight, so make sure to pull hard.

Step 4

• Then the harmonic balancer unit should be removed. A gear puller should be utilized and then the hooks should be placed in an area which would not break very easily, like the lip of the pulley section.
• There are some automobiles which have a threaded bolt holes in the balancer which can be utilized to attach a puller. The centre bolt should be tightened with a ratchet handle or breaker bar unless and until the balancer would break free.

Step 5

• Then the new harmonic balancer should be installed. The woodruff key slot should be aligned in the new balancer. Then the balancer should be carefully slid onto the crankshaft.
• Just be sure that the keyway should remain in the right position. A centre bolt should be installed and then tighten until the needed torque specification would be obtained.

Step 6

• Then the next step is to install the belts. The belt tensioner should be rotated as well as loosened up to reinstall the belt. You can always refer to your old service manual so that the right belt routing can be decided.

Step 7

• Then the vehicle should be lowered down and then begin the vehicle. The jack stands should be removed carefully and then the vehicle should be lowered down.