harmonic balancer removal

[LQ1]

OK, so i know that all this work im doing to my car, I should be able to tackle such an easy task as this. HA, wtf am I doing wrong. Heres the problem:

Harmonic balancer will not come off. Bolts are out, 3 for the crank pulley, and one center one for the balancer. As it sits now, the balancer puller tool is on and tight as a bitch, and she wont go any tighter nor will the balancer come off.


The timing belt gear that drives the belt, i know there is a special tool for it, but is there any other way i can get it off? If not, anyone that would absolutly trust me enough to borrow thiers? I can pay a few bucks plus shipping, problem is i would need it by this friday.

[your_I.D.]

May have to warm it a little

[BlueShift]

LQ1 - I just literally came inside from removing those things. Here's how I did it:

intermediate shaft gear - I tapped 3 of the holes, threaded bolts in, and used a harmonic dampener puller to pull it right off. Came off really easy, actually. I actually tapped the holes and installed heli-coils to bring it to the extremely common size of M10x1.5mm but any tap that'll fit will work if you use the right bolts, obviously. The shaft is even has the bevel to accept the conical tip of the puller.

As for the balancer, I just threaded bolts in (also M10x1.5, how handy) and used the same harmonic balancer puller. I had to wrench on it quite firmly, but it came out. You can heat it I guess, but don't roast the rubber on the dampener. If it's not coming off, then it must be stuck somehow. Try the oil/heat treatment. Good luck man.

[LQ1]

I got the intermediate shaft gear off with heat/liquid wrench no problem. I spent two hours oiling/heating the dampener and burning out an electric impact wrench in the process to no success. I have two last options that I can think of, get someone to hold tight as hell onto the flywheel/TC bolts, while I put my 4ft steel breaker bar on the end of the puller and try to use some kick ass leverage against it, or take it to a shop and let them deal with it. I am almost ready to just take it to a shop, as I need the car out of storage by this weekend and the engine isnt bolted to the car just yet.

I tell ya, I have never done this big of a project before, and I am learning some damn good things along the way, spending a hell of a lot of money, and spending many days pissed off at the car.

[your_I.D.]

In extreme cases. I have tightened the balancer puller as tight as possible. Then swatted the center bolt of the tool with a 3 or 4 lbs sledge. Shocked it loose. A flywheel turning tool will usually hold it from turning when wedge against something.

[BlueShift]

That's definitely not coming undone like it should - is it frozen/rusted? I really don't know what to suggest if oiling and heating the shit out of it isn't doing anything. Has to be frozen. I pulled mine with a 10" long adjustable wrench on my puller. Took a little muscle, but not very much (otherwise the adjustable wrench woulda simply slipped off). Not to sound dumb or anything, but did you grease the puller really good? It makes a difference. I'm surprised that you wailed on it with an impact driver without busting the puller, the bolts, or the dampener! Not sure how to unfreeze it, so good luck with it man.

I feel ya when it comes to 1.) never having taken on this big of a project before, 2.) learning a lot of good things 3.) spending ALOT of money and 4.) getting pissed off. I'm putting my LQ1 into an 87 Fiero GT. I had the motor in and started, including all the wiring and hose rerouting. Hardest part? Having the rebuild the damn motor right as I was coming to the end of the project! D'oh!

[joey b]

If you have someone hold the flywheel bolts they won't have to put as much pressure on as you will on the other end. You will be struggling against the turning of the engine, whereas they will just be trying to hold it put. You could also put some type of pry device in thru the flywheel cover against the block, couldn't you.