Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Stock FSJ Tech Area

Topic author
rocklaurence
Vendor
Posts: 2565
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am

Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by rocklaurence »

Hey Guys, in the past I have tightened-then tapped the HB on the crank. I know that there is a proper tool for this. Does anyone have a preference for a tool to install the HB on an AMC crank?

Topic author
rocklaurence
Vendor
Posts: 2565
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by rocklaurence »

Also, is the crank bolt thread 1/2-20?

Tanker
Posts: 59
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: NC Mountians

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by Tanker »

You can take the crank bolt to Fastenal or other, get a threaded bolt or rod and a couple of nuts. I go about 6" threaded all the way with a couple thick washers. Then you can thread the bolt in with the nut at the top with the washers next,hold the bolt an tighten the nut down. Pressing the HB on.
Jakes Full Size Jeep Junkyard
Hire the handicap there fun to watch. IR1

candymancan
Posts: 3652
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:32 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by candymancan »

Dont tap the balencer on the crank it can damage the bearings. Get yourself a harmonic balencer installer kit from harbor freight. or rent one.. Its a kit with multiple size bolts and a T fitting with a bearing. So when you turn the big center bolt it preses it on the crank.

These are what the kits look like. to remove and install.

Ive heard people using the balencer bolt itself and just use an impact gun to pull it on too.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)
User avatar

HeavyMetalThunder_81
Posts: 740
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2012 5:01 pm
Location: Haze Gray

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by HeavyMetalThunder_81 »

NEVER use the crank snout bolt to pull the balancer on and NEVER hammer or tap it on either. Rent the correct tool to avoid costly damage to your balancer, crankshaft, and bearings. Most of the tools are the same. OEM and OTC brands are pretty decent for the do-it-yourselfer.
-Jonny B.
1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
7" lift, 35x12.5x15
AMC 401 - Pro-FLo 4 FI
NV4500/NWFBB/NP205 - Triple Stick'd
F D44 - 4.10, Eaton E-Locker
R M23 - 4.10, Detroit Locker

1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
1979 Wagoneer - Sold
1981 Cherokee Chief - Cubed

Topic author
rocklaurence
Vendor
Posts: 2565
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by rocklaurence »

Ill rent one at the Advance Auto here in town. Thansk guys

Tanker
Posts: 59
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: NC Mountians

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by Tanker »

By taping or any type of hitting on it may cause the thrust bearing to flatting out causing to much end play on the crank. By using the factory bolt to install it you run the risk of stripping out the the crank or bolt threads or both.
Jakes Full Size Jeep Junkyard
Hire the handicap there fun to watch. IR1

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

So I rented the tool from autozone to install it. Now the adapter is stuck in the crank and no way to remove it.

Yay.
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

ShagWagon wrote:So I rented the tool from autozone to install it. Now the adapter is stuck in the crank and no way to remove it.

Yay.
Image



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by letank »

ShagWagon wrote:
ShagWagon wrote:So I rented the tool from autozone to install it. Now the adapter is stuck in the crank and no way to remove it.

Yay.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I had the same issue, I sneaked a pair of visegrip onto the stuck snub, and another visegrip at 90degrees on the placed 1st visegrip... it required a lot of persuasion, took a break and sprayed pb blaster, in fact IIRC I slipped a 3' breaker bar onto the handle of the visegrip and moved carefully... I sprayed some dust cleaner, but inverted to cool the stuck snub...

good luck
Last edited by letank on Sat Jun 01, 2019 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

babywag
Posts: 1217
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Location: Land of Fruit Loops & Coconuts

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by babywag »

When using one of these tools it is not necessary to crank it all the way in until it's tight.
Install until it's tight then back it off a little, then install balancer, then removal of the threaded adapter can usually be done by hand.
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

babywag wrote:When using one of these tools it is not necessary to crank it all the way in until it's tight.
Install until it's tight then back it off a little, then install balancer, then removal of the threaded adapter can usually be done by hand.
Now you tell me lol... Common sense says to tighten it so you don’t pull your crank threads. I actually thought about it. There’s no instructions really, other than how to put it together. For a DIY driveway mechanic you would think they could mention this because autozone lost my business for life over this. I also didn’t appreciate the Chinga puller that the crow foot folded up on me, and the bolts bent because of crap cheap metal they use. If autozone needs to be so cheap they dont need my business. Turned a 2 hour job into a 2 day nightmare.
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

letank wrote:
ShagWagon wrote:
ShagWagon wrote:So I rented the tool from autozone to install it. Now the adapter is stuck in the crank and no way to remove it.

Yay.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I had the same issue, I sneaked a pair of wisegrip onto the stuck snub, and another wisegrip at 90degrees on the placed 1st wisegrip... it required a lot of persuasion, took a break and sprayed pb blaster, in fact IIRC I slipped a 3' breaker bar onto the handle of the wisegrip and moved carefully... I sprayed some dust cleaner, but inverted to cool the stuck snub...

good luck
I struggled with vise grips but it’s sunk down in to far to get a good grip. Tried needle nose vise grips, they bent when I turned and stripped the inside of the adapter bolt. Tried an easy out, it grinded my easy out down.... was ready to cut a slot with my Dremel for a straight screwdriver and waiting for my friend to come over with a welder to weld a nut on it, then I thought maybe I could just take it the balancer off to get better access for the brutal coaxing that was about to commence for the feat of the day. I pressed the puller on top of the adapter and it came off fairly easy. Then I put the vise grips on it with a good hold, mustered up all my strength and had a hammer ready. It came off as easy as a 2 liter soda cap.
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by letank »

what is happening when you tighten the tool to press the balancer in, it self tighten even if you could fit loose, and then on top of it it's not deep enough so you have to add an extra shim, some of the balancers are looser so you don't even need the tool, the crankshaft bolt does the sliding very easily. on the 85 I don't even need a balancer tool installer and in 74 it was so tight that at some point I said the tool is going to break so I didn't even press the balancer all the way and it is probably a quarter inch short of fitting.
we need a better tool, the corvette guys seem to have the same problems
yes, instructions or schematics could be helpfull
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

babywag
Posts: 1217
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Location: Land of Fruit Loops & Coconuts

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by babywag »

It shouldn't tighten up while/during install.
The thrust bearing and big nut does all the work.
The large threaded dealio & smaller adapter should remain stationary during install.
Used one couple yrs ago or actually made my nephew use it to install balancer.
He was green as can be far as wrenching and the AZ tool gave us no issue.
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

It has a 1/2 bolt thru the main threaded dealio. Your supposed to put a wrench on the threaded dealio to prevent it from tightening.
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by letank »

I suspect that when it is too tight , the balancer is dumped in hot fluid to expand the metal, hence buggering the rubber donut and f#@* the timing in some cases.

As said the whole stuff is self tightening... may be we need to find a better version for futur jobs.

BTW, mine is also the vatozone version as well, it was so buggered up, that I did not return it so nobody would have to be frustrated with it, so I bought it
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

Heres the cheap ass Chinga made tool they sold me at autozone. The whole crow foot part of it folded up like gold painted lead,( I bent it back with my vise) the bolts bent and the center of the claw threads angled out and stripped the main threads lol. Chinga metal vs US steel. What a joke. I went to Napa and they tried to sell me the same thing but painted silver. I asked Napa if they had a better one and they sold me a hardened steel one for $20 which worked like a charm...

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by ShagWagon on Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:42 pm, edited 3 times in total.
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.

ShagWagon
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:13 pm

Re: Harmonic balancer application tool-which one?

Post by ShagWagon »

Here is the instructions for the installer from autozone. Again what a joke. It’s somewhat self explained but common sense says to thread the adapter till it’s tight. The second time I backed it off 1 turn and it was fine. Also the main big nut is too short, I could barely get a wrench on it at an extreme angle and turn it 1/8 of a turn because they’re too cheap to use a taller nut you can get a wrench firmly on or to or provide any spacers. At least it’s OEM though.....


Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.
Post Reply