Harmonic Balancer Inspection

[ACerf]

After reading the article in the last issue of TDR, I decided to inspect the Harmonic Balancer. To my surprise it looked good after 135,202, I am happy to say! The one problem I had was inspecting the pulley side, with the timing gear in the way and only small holes to see through, it was difficult to see. I used a strong LED light and was able to see nothing that appeared out of the norm. The front side of course was easy to see. For the most part I have not juiced up my engine much. Which may attribute to the fact that it is still in good shape. I do have an edge EZ Tow installed, but I normally keep it on the low side.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My stocker looks great too (77k) but I'm still happy I replaced it with the Fluid Dampener.
I guess I should put the OEM part up for sale if anyone needs one. .

 

[ACerf]

I guess I follow that all saying; If it aint broken don't mess with it! Especially with the part costs over $400+. And believe me I am not going to change it myself, so there is more money spent to change it.

 

[ACerf]

I decided today I would see if the bolts on the HB needed torquing. I noticed in the article that it said that the torque was 92 ft-lbs. Which is great info, but it failed to mention the size of the bolt! After crawling under the truck, guessed 5/8", that was to big, 9/16" is to small. Decided to try metric sizes, which it appeared to be 15mm (It isn't the easiest place to get your hand into). I guess my point is when you supply info about torque, it would be nice to tell everyone what size the bolt is! Since torque is relative to the size of the bolt.

By the way, I did not get the bolts torques since I did not have 15mm socket. I got the size using a rachet wrench.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yup, they're 15mm. I don't think checking the torque is going to do much good since you torque them and then turn it a certain number of degrees ~ 60 I think. Just a thought. .

 

[ACerf]

Yup, they're 15mm. I don't think checking the torque is going to do much good since you torque them and then turn it a certain number of degrees ~ 60 I think. Just a thought. .

Frankly, after putting the wrench on the bolts they were not loose and when the engine is running I don't wobble. I am not going to worry about at this time. When the next 30K comes up I will recheck it, or have it checked when I have an oil change done.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Is part of the HB inspection checking the torque? I thought all they wanted was to inspect the rubber portions condition and check for slippage.

 

[jakprince]

so how do you check to see if it has slipped?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

so how do you check to see if it has slipped?

There should be 2 stamped marks on the damper. They should line-up

 

[jakprince]

that should be real easy to find

 

[ACerf]

Is part of the HB inspection checking the torque? I thought all they wanted was to inspect the rubber portions condition and check for slippage.

The article in last quarterly magazine said to check the torque as well. It also mentioned wobbling as a sign of bolt problem. I would think at that point you would have a very serious problem indeed! All I can say is I checked, it is okay and I will move on to other problems... If I have any, which I don't, knock on wood. :-laf

 

[jakprince]

got any pics of those marks your supposed to look for

 

[Prairie Dog]

Here you go Jakprince. This is mine from the front (radiator side) as it lays on my bench.

#ad

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Torque is 92 ft lb, no turning after that torque is reached. The factory flange-head bolts are grade 12. 9, M 12 x 1. 25 x 35 mm long.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Torque is 92 ft lb, no turning after that torque is reached. The factory flange-head bolts are grade 12. 9, M 12 x 1. 25 x 35 mm long.

Joe, this is straight from my factory service manual:
Install the crankshaft damper and bolts.
Tighten bolts to 40 N·m (30 ft. lbs. ) torque, plus an
additional 60°.

It is also the instructions that came with my new HB.

 

[jakprince]

thanks at least i know what im lookin for now

 

[DannyW]

Torque is 92 ft lb, no turning after that torque is reached. The factory flange-head bolts are grade 12. 9, M 12 x 1. 25 x 35 mm long.

The factory manual says 30 ft-lbs plus 60 degrees. Is that how we arrive at 92 ft-lbs if we don't have a torque wrench that big? Are these bolts definitely reusable to do the first replacement of the OEM damper?