How to install a harmonic balancer repair sleeve

You never want to pry a harmonic balancer off the crankshaft. Many engines built over the last 20 years do not use a keyway in the balancer and crankshaft snout.

This design is just an interference fit, and its use is based on the accessory load that is run from the crankshaft pulley. To bring closure to this step, when reinstalling the harmonic balancer, an installation tool is required. Never pound the balancer on the crankshaft snout with a hammer or even a dead blow hammer.

You will most likely damage the balancer and injure the crankshaft by ramming it against its end. When the balancer is removed, inspect it before deciding to install a repair sleeve. If the design allows, inspect the condition of the rubber dampening ring to see if the material is still soft and spring-like.

At this time, check to see if there are no cracks in the harmonic absorbing material and that there are no pieces missing. In most, if not all applications, the sleeve employs an interference fit to the hub of around 0. As such, it will need to be pressed on. Since the sleeve goes around the outer diameter of the hub, there is no issue with the keyway to the snout. With the timing cover still off, trial-fit the balancer with the sleeve installed through the new seal.

Before doing this, though, lubricate the lip seal and the hub of the balancer with engine oil or engine assembly lube if you have it. You do not want to trial-fit or perform the final assembly with a dry seal and hub.

Most better auto parts stores will carry a balancer hub repair kit. Have the store look up the part number by the engine application. If you need to sleeve a nonautomotive engine, measure the hub diameter and length with a caliper and then go to the auto parts store. If you have a willing sales rep, that person will pull out a couple of different parts numbers and you can then match to the dimensions you need. This works great on older engines and ensures you a leak-free timing cover seal repair job!

Skip to main content. Content ID Make it a point to check the balancer for wear. By Ray Bohacz. Read more about Repair and Maintenance. The first step is to remove the harmonic damper with the proper tool known as a puller.

The tool works like most pullers and attaches to the harmonic balancer with bolts. Then, a jackscrew with a protection plate for the crankshaft thread pushes the balancer off. You never want to pry a harmonic balancer off the crankshaft. Many engines built over the last twenty years do not use a keyway in the balancer and crankshaft snout. This design is just an interference fit, and its use is based on the accessory load that is run from the crankshaft pulley.

To bring closure to this step, when reinstalling the harmonic balancer, an installation tool is required. Never pound the balancer on the crankshaft snout with a hammer or even a dead blow hammer. You will most likely damage the balancer and injure the crankshaft by ramming it against its endplay. When the balancer is removed from the engine, it is essential to thoroughly inspect it before you decide to install a repair sleeve.

If the design allows, check the rubber dampening ring condition to see if the material is still soft and spring-like. You can use the end of a screwdriver for this but be gentle, you do not want to puncture it. Check to ensure there are no cracks in the harmonic absorbing material and that no pieces are missing. If it does not pass muster, save the ten dollars for the sleeve, and put it toward a new balancer. In most, if not all applications the sleeve employs an interference fit to the hub of around 0.

Since the sleeve goes around the O. With the timing cover still off, trial fit the balancer with the sleeve installed through the new seal. Before doing this, though, lubricate the lip seal and the hub of the balancer with either engine oil or engine assembly lube if you have it. I like assembly lube since it is thicker and will stay in place better than oil. You do not want to trial fit or perform the final assembly with a dry seal and hub.

Most better auto parts stores will carry a balancer hub repair kit. They will look up the part number by the engine application. If you need to sleeve a non-automotive engine, measure the hub diameter and length with a caliper and go to the auto part store. If you have a willing, old-school counterman, he will pull out a couple of different parts numbers, and you can then match it up to the dimensions you need.

This works great on older agricultural engines and makes sure you have a leak-free timing cover seal repair job. Ray is a technical writer in both the automotive and agricultural industries and has been featured in more than forty-four different magazine titles with over 3, published technical articles. Additionally, he has authored three books and delivered countless seminars to the two communities.