Harmonic balancer What are the steps to replacing a harmonic balancer on a 1997corvette

If the harmonic balancer (also known as the crankshaft pulley) is rubbing against the timing cover, it's important to address this issue promptly to prevent further damage to your engine. Here are some steps to help you resolve the problem:
1. **Check for Misalignment:** Ensure that the harmonic balancer is properly aligned with the crankshaft and that it's seated correctly. A misaligned or improperly installed balancer can cause it to rub against the timing cover.
2. **Inspect for Damage:** Examine the timing cover and the harmonic balancer for signs of damage. If either component is damaged, it may need to be replaced.
3. **Check for Loose Bolts:** Inspect the bolts that secure the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft. If any of these bolts are loose, tighten them to the manufacturer's specifications.
4. **Use Spacers:** In some cases, adding a spacer between the harmonic balancer and the crankshaft can help adjust the alignment and prevent rubbing. Consult your vehicle's service manual or a mechanic for guidance on the appropriate spacer size and installation procedure.
5. **Replace the Timing Cover:** If the timing cover is severely damaged and cannot be aligned properly, it may need to be replaced. This is typically a more involved and time-consuming repair.
6. **Seek Professional Help:** If you're unsure about diagnosing or fixing the issue, it's best to consult a professional mechanic. They have the expertise and tools necessary to assess and resolve the problem correctly.
Remember that allowing the harmonic balancer to continue rubbing against the timing cover can lead to more significant engine damage and potentially costly repairs. It's essential to address this issue promptly and accurately.

If it's clear that the alignment of the belts isn't correct, then your balancer probably is not the problem. You can usually see the harmonic balancer "wobble" as the engine is running if it's damaged, a visual inspection should give you an idea if it's the problem. It would have to be in terrible condition to cause your belt to change position.

Usually this problem occurs after an alternator, water pump, idler pulley, or similar part has been replaced with one that doesn't line up the same as the OEM part that was replaced. This is one of the most important reasons for comparing your core or old part with the new parts precisely, before installing the replacement parts.

Try aligning the belt on all of the pulleys except one (at a time and then switch to leave out another item), this should help you to determine what is out of alignment specifically and then you should be able to measure the difference hopefully identifying a fix.

you have to take your belts off first then if you have room you will need to take the harmonic bolt out then you will need a harmonic balancer puller once you get the harmonic balancer off the seal is on the crankshaft you will need to get the old seal out use a seal puller and installer to put the new seal in Oreilly auto parts lends these tools if you don't want to buy one,

this is a bigger job to deal with: first step whatever is blocking the front of engine remove it because you need a harmonic balancer puller to remove it. In some cases you might have to remove the radiator to get more room. Remove belts, mounting brackets on other accessories, whatever is attach to it. make sure you replace the front engine seal before reinstalling the new balancer. good luck.

remove center bolts and with puller remove the harmonic balancer.then after,to replace install harmonic balancer and the center big bolt with air gun tight it until it sit

3.4L V6 harmonic balancer bolt

step 1 52 ft lbs.

step 2 additional 72 degrees

3.6L V6

step 1 74 ft lbs.

step 2 additional 150 degrees

YOU NEED A HARMONIC BALANCER PULLER TOOL AND A 15M SIX POINT SOCKET TO REMOVE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT.TURN OFF RADIO AND REMOVE THE DRIVE BELT AND REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. REMOVE THE STARTER SO YOU CAN PUT A LARGE SCREW DRIVER OR LARGE PUNCH TO STICK IN ONE OF THE FLY WHEEL HOLES TO KEEP ENGINE FROM TURNING WHEN YOU LOOSEN THE HARMONIC BALANCE BOLT. ALSO SCREW DRIVER AND PUNCH CAN KEEP ENGINE FROM TURNING WHEN REMOVER THE HARMONIC BALANCER. YOU WILL NEED A HELPER TO HOLD PUNCH OR SCREW DRIVER WHILE YOU LOOSEN THE BOLT. YOU CAN GO TO SEARS OR ANY AUTO PARTS STORE AND BUY HARMONIC BALANCER PULLER.TORQUE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT TO 76 FT LBS.

First remove right front tire and support vehicle with a jack stand. Remove splash guard lower portion near the harmonic balancer. Remove all drive belts. First remove the A/C alternator belt. Loosen the 14mm bolt at the front of the belt tenioner and then loosen the tensioner bolt (it is the one that stands out, you use a socket on it.). The power steering adjuster bolt with be gained from the bottom. It has a 12mm bolt head on it. You will break the jamb bolt loose first and then loosen the adjusting bolt. Pull down on the belt the help move it after you've loosened it some.Then remove harmonic balancer bolt (19mm).If the harmonic balancer will not slide off the crankshaft then use a two finger gear puller. Place the harmonic balancer bolt back in the crankshaft but do not tighten it. Leave it about a half inch from being all the way in. Next place the puller onto the harmonic balancer (one finger on each side securely press into the belt groove. The center puller bolt will rest against the harmonic balancer bolt head. Tighten the puller bolt and make sure the harmonice balancer bolt does not turn. The balancer should come off at this point.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

1. Serpentine belt from the crankshaft pulley.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
3. Right front tire and wheel assembly.
4. Right inner fender access cover.
5. Using a 28 mm socket, remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt.
6. Crankshaft harmonic balancer using tool J 38192 or equivalent.
7. Sensor electrical connector.
8. Foreign object deflector.
9. Sensor and pedestal from block face.
10. Sensor from pedestal.

INSTALL OR CONNECT:

1. Loosely install the crankshaft sensor on the pedestal.
2. Position the sensor with pedestal attached on special Tool J 37089.
3. Position the special tool on the crankshaft.
4. Bolts to hold the pedestal to the block face, torque to 20-40 Nm (14-28 lb.ft).
5. Torque the pedestal pinch bolt to 3-4 Nm (38-40 lb.in).
6. Remove special tool J 37089.
7. Place the special tool 37089 on the harmonic balancer and turn. If any vane of the harmonic balancer touches the tool, replace the balancer assembly.
8. Balancer on the crankshaft.

• Apply thread sealer (GM 1052080) or equivalent to the threads of the balancer bolt.

1. Torque the crankshaft bolt to 140 Nm + 56°(104 lb.ft + 56°).
2. Foreign object deflector.
3. Electrical connector.
4. Inner fender shield.
5. Tire and wheel assembly, torque to 140 Nm (104 lb.ft).
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Serpentine belt.

you have to remove the center bolt of harmony its depend what engine you have most likely you need a little puller if the belt loose check the belt tensionner to see if its not broken pierre