Zero2Turbo
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    Zero2Turbo
    • Home
    • Contact
    • Videos
      Featured

      BMW M2 vs Audi RS3 Performance Drag Race Is Seriously Tight

      By Zero2TurboSeptember 15, 2023
      Recent

      BMW M2 vs Audi RS3 Performance Drag Race Is Seriously Tight

      September 15, 2023

      Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato Does Huge Off-Road Jump

      September 13, 2023

      Porsche 911 GT3 RS vs BMW M3 CS Drag Race Shows Effect of DRS

      August 31, 2023
    • South Africa
    • Zero2Turbo Telegram
    Zero2Turbo
    Home»News»Harmonic Balancers, Their Function & Replacing Them
    News

    Harmonic Balancers, Their Function & Replacing Them

    By Zero2TurboFebruary 18, 2016Updated:March 28, 2017No Comments
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram

    To people who don’t know what it is, a “harmonic balancer” may sound like part of a musical instrument. To a mechanic, however, it’s an important part of every engine made. Other names for harmonic balancer include vibration damper, torsional damper and crank pulley damper. Maybe you have heard of this component in an engine, or perhaps this is your first time hearing about its existence. However, you have come to the right place to read about the feature, its function, and its replacement process.

    Here’s its function:
    As the cylinders in the engine fire, they move the pistons up and down to generate energy that is transferred to the crankshaft. As you might already know, the spinning crankshaft drives a vehicle’s transmission that is connected to the wheels of the vehicle.

    But consider for a minute the forces that are acting on the crankshaft — they are really big. Every time a cylinder fires, a piston is driven down on the crankshaft, causing it to twist and the twisting force can cause the crankshaft to “resonate” at certain frequencies.  As a result, engineers put a special device,  a “Harmonic Balancer,” on crankshafts to smooth things out a little.

    A harmonic balancer is a circular device, made of metal and rubber, and is bolted at the crankshaft’s front end. It’s typically connected to the crank pulley, which drives engine accessories like the alternator, air conditioner and water pump. The secret sauce of a harmonic balancer is just the rubber part.  It is what actually absorbs vibrations and keeps them at a safe level.

    However, the rubber material in your harmonic balancer can wear out over time. If this happens to your harmonic balancer, you could end up with rough engine vibrations or perhaps a failed crankshaft over time.

    Replacing a Harmonic Balancer
    The majority of mechanics suggest that replacing a harmonic balancer before it fails is a great idea, but replacing a harmonic balancer is not an easy undertaking.  For people who love a challenge, here’s what you should know.

    There’s good news and bad news. But let’s tell you the good news first: Installing a new balancer isn’t too bad to take on. And now the bad news: Getting the old one off your crankshaft is not. Making it worse is that harmonic balancers can be in tight areas in your vehicle and you typically need a special tool to do it. The tool’s name is a harmonic balancer puller. Sometimes called gear pullers, these are special tools that a used to pull objects, like harmonic balancers and pulleys, off of tapered metal shafts.

    Each engine is different, so if you are going to change the harmonic balancer by yourself, you’ll probably want to search around on the internet to see how it’s done. Seek out a video that should help you out. If you are going to change a harmonic balancer and choose to purchase one, they usually cost $40-$60.

    Seems Difficult
    In some vehicles, replacing a harmonic balancer is quite difficult and is best done by a professional mechanic.  They don’t often fail but some mechanics will replace them when they replace the engine’s timing chain.  In that event, get a mechanic to do it.

    Article Courtesy of: Hoffman GM

    Share. Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram
    Previous ArticleAbout Police Impounded Cars
    Next Article #ExoticSpotSA Week 8 2016

    Related Posts

    Mercedes G-Wagon Production Coming To An End With Updated Model To Be More Aerodynamic

    September 21, 2023

    Orange Aston Martin Collection Heading to Auction in October

    September 19, 2023

    BMW M2 vs Audi RS3 Performance Drag Race Is Seriously Tight

    September 15, 2023

    BMW M760e xDrive Coming to South Africa

    September 15, 2023

    7 Reasons Why Toyota Tundra Pickup Trucks Are an Exceptional Investment

    September 14, 2023

    Report: Electric BMW M3 Coming In 2027 With Around 700 HP

    September 14, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Popular Posts
    • Orange Aston Martin Collection Heading to Auction in October
    • BMW M2 vs Audi RS3 Performance Drag Race Is Seriously Tight
    • BMW M760e xDrive Coming to South Africa
    • Report: Electric BMW M3 Coming In 2027 With Around 700 HP
    • Next-Gen BMW M4 CS Coming in 2024

    Latest Instagram Photos
    • Looks like the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE was spotted testing in South Africa 🇿🇦

That start-up sounds pretty damn promising!

This thing packs a whopping 791 hp (590 kW) and 1,430 Nm of torque.

📌 Graskop, Mpumalanga

🎥 @guylin_
    • Look what’s arrived in South Africa 🇿🇦 

Nothing confirmed by Toyota SA as of yet but here is the 224 kW GR Corolla!

Image source: @average_midship 

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Toyota #GRCorolla
    • We waited a fair bit for the Tiguan R to arrive but that means it has been given enough thought and executed with the sort of German precision that makes us happy to have waited.

As fast SUVs go it’s a cracker, and with a price tag starting from R1,014,900 it is actually decent value in the segment.

It’s fun, aggressive when you want it to be and remarkably civilised when you don’t. Cars like this rarely make sense, but the Tiguan R is one case where that argument starts to change one's mind.

We cannot wait to drive the matching Golf next week!

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Z2TDriven #VolkswagenTiguanR #TiguanR #VWTiguanR
    • The very first SA-spec BMW M2 snapped at BMW HQ in Midrand.

Zandvoort Blue would not be our choice but the looks have certainly grown on us. What about all of you?

Shots via @projectthart 

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #BMWM2 #NewM2 #ZandvoortBlue
    • If you’re expecting a faster, angrier and more focused version of the original 86, you’re going to be happy with this car.

Toyota finally gave the 86 more power. It’s not take-your-breath-away power, but again, it’s not made to win drag races. If you want more power, get a Supra.

Sure it is a bit more pricey this time around but it is a no-regrets kind of car that you will enjoy just as much today as 10 years from now.

Long live the manual transmission, especially when it’s packaged within something as fun as the Toyota GR86.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Z2TDriven #ToyotaGR86 #GR86 #Anime #InitialD
    • Stunning Jaguar F-Type Project 7 spotted in sunny Cape Town yesterday by @ryan_6r 😎

Just 5 of these made their way into SA making this quite a rare sighting!

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Jaguar #FTypeProject7 #Project7 #JaguarFType #CapeTown

    Follow Us

    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Designed by Zero2Turbo.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.