Harmonic Balancer not pulling off

Heater · 04-08-2020, 05:47 PM

I am working on my cam swap and everything has been fairly smooth so far, including the balancer bolt (torched and impact). I have the Chrysler 3 jaw puller and have used it on this car in the past without too much issue but now when i try to use the puller, the extension bar bent as i tightening the puller to pull the balancer off.

I went to the local metal supply store to get some steel, got 1/4" rod and that turned into a noodle. Then I went back to get a 3/8" stainless steel rod and that started to bend.

Luckily it doesn't look like there was any damage, I used a borescope to check the threads on the inside which look ok from what i can see.

However now I still can't get the balancer off. Any suggestions on how to get it removed?

Paulie-G · 04-08-2020, 06:33 PM

I just break the pulley bolt loose. Just a turn or so out. Sharp smack with a hammer on the puller bolt to shock the pulley off.

Good luck.

DorkMissile · 04-08-2020, 10:29 PM

Heat. And when you think you have it hot enough, put a little more to it.

If it is the first time coming off, it will take a good amount to get it off.

I heat them for 30 seconds. Let it sit for 30 seconds to soak, then another 30 and it should start moving.

Tim M · 04-10-2020, 01:41 AM

Ugh...a nightmare of mine when messing with balancers.

I've done a few others and only one experience with the LT1, but with 19,000 miles it gave no significant challenge when I removed mine for an LT4 balancer. Chrysler puller, etc.

I think the puller is your best bet. Using the shortest and stoutest rod within the crank opening. Have you tapped the balancer 'sideways' with a hammer (deadblow ideal) when the puller is at full tension? If no deadblow, may use a block of wood to insulate the metal on metal. It will just pop when it lets go...only a slight interference fit (admittedly lot of metal). I'm assuming it is an OEM balancer...

I've only used the typical balancer pullers - the hydraulic device looks rather large to fit in back of the radiator.

oldman · 04-10-2020, 10:16 PM

your puller looks to be setup wrong. I setup the autozone puller with claws facing out, they bite into little dimples cast into the damper. That said I think I can easily put in the stock damper bolt back and pull the damper off like 1/2 inch and then back off the damper bolt and the damper just falls off. There really is no reason why you need to shove something down that long snout...

yotaman96 · 04-12-2020, 09:45 PM

Check out OEMTOOLS 25264.

driven2exceSS · 04-13-2020, 10:28 AM

Congrats!! I was pulling for you

(pun intended) Seriously though I was watching how you resolved this. Heat was the first thing I thought of, but was already suggested. Enjoy the rest of the build...

Tim M · 04-13-2020, 10:46 AM

That is a relief.

ParisTNDude · 04-13-2020, 11:38 PM

Wow! I read your entire post the first day and I thought: That's sounds like the kind of goofy things that happen "only" to me! Anyway, I am very relieved to hear you got it off!!!

I edited this post to say, this is my 3,000th post! HOORah!

04-08-2020, 05:47 PM	#1
Heater Drives: Camaro Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: North America Posts: 1	Harmonic Balancer not pulling off I am working on my cam swap and everything has been fairly smooth so far, including the balancer bolt (torched and impact). I have the Chrysler 3 jaw puller and have used it on this car in the past without too much issue but now when i try to use the puller, the extension bar bent as i tightening the puller to pull the balancer off. I went to the local metal supply store to get some steel, got 1/4" rod and that turned into a noodle. Then I went back to get a 3/8" stainless steel rod and that started to bend. Luckily it doesn't look like there was any damage, I used a borescope to check the threads on the inside which look ok from what i can see. However now I still can't get the balancer off. Any suggestions on how to get it removed? Attached Images

04-08-2020, 06:33 PM	#2
Paulie-G Drives: 2SS 1LE & ZR2 Join Date: May 2019 Location: San Diego mountains Posts: 109 View My Garage	I just break the pulley bolt loose. Just a turn or so out. Sharp smack with a hammer on the puller bolt to shock the pulley off. Good luck. Last edited by Paulie-G; 04-08-2020 at 06:34 PM. Reason: more info

04-08-2020, 10:29 PM	#3
DorkMissile Drives: 18 1SS 1LE HyperBlue Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 612	Heat. And when you think you have it hot enough, put a little more to it. If it is the first time coming off, it will take a good amount to get it off. I heat them for 30 seconds. Let it sit for 30 seconds to soak, then another 30 and it should start moving. __________________ 2018 1SS 1LE / HBM - ECS Novi 1500 S/C Tuned by Carl @ CJ Tunes

04-10-2020, 01:41 AM	#4
Tim M Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 807	Ugh...a nightmare of mine when messing with balancers. I've done a few others and only one experience with the LT1, but with 19,000 miles it gave no significant challenge when I removed mine for an LT4 balancer. Chrysler puller, etc. I think the puller is your best bet. Using the shortest and stoutest rod within the crank opening. Have you tapped the balancer 'sideways' with a hammer (deadblow ideal) when the puller is at full tension? If no deadblow, may use a block of wood to insulate the metal on metal. It will just pop when it lets go...only a slight interference fit (admittedly lot of metal). I'm assuming it is an OEM balancer... I've only used the typical balancer pullers - the hydraulic device looks rather large to fit in back of the radiator. __________________ 2018 SS 1LE German Based Nurburgring Visit #19 Ring Laps: 77 Last edited by Tim M; 04-11-2020 at 12:40 AM.

04-10-2020, 10:16 PM	#5
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,320	your puller looks to be setup wrong. I setup the autozone puller with claws facing out, they bite into little dimples cast into the damper. That said I think I can easily put in the stock damper bolt back and pull the damper off like 1/2 inch and then back off the damper bolt and the damper just falls off. There really is no reason why you need to shove something down that long snout... __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

04-12-2020, 09:45 PM	#6
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	Check out OEMTOOLS 25264. __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins

04-13-2020, 10:28 AM	#7
driven2exceSS Drives: 2016 2SS BLK A8 Vert Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: MA Posts: 1,029	Congrats!! I was pulling for you (pun intended) Seriously though I was watching how you resolved this. Heat was the first thing I thought of, but was already suggested. Enjoy the rest of the build... __________________ NPP, MRC, Tinted side & rear reflectors, OEM ZL1 Rockers / 3rd Brake / Darken tail lights, OEM Blk rear splash guards, Satin hood wrap, Fuse pull, Sound tube delete, Cat delete, Ported 95 TB, Ported MSD IM, Dry RotoFab, ARH 1 7/8 headers, E85, "Performance Dyno" Tune, BMR "pieces", "Track" alignment, Hawk DCT-70/70's w/SRF, Goodridge lines, Ti shims, Red powdered calipers, 18" APEX SM-10's w/ Pirelli DH's, FE4 Vert swaybars, Brake cooling ducts, ATI 10% UD, Vorshlag camber plates, OEM 1LE Splitter w/APR Ext., Velossa BIG MOUTH Ram Air, CF QA1, ZLE brakes(F)

04-13-2020, 10:46 AM	#8
Tim M Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 807	That is a relief. __________________ 2018 SS 1LE German Based Nurburgring Visit #19 Ring Laps: 77

04-13-2020, 11:38 PM	#9
ParisTNDude Owning SSes for 50 Years Drives: Sharkskin Grey LT1 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,139 View My Garage	Thank Goodness Wow! I read your entire post the first day and I thought: That's sounds like the kind of goofy things that happen "only" to me! Anyway, I am very relieved to hear you got it off!!! I edited this post to say, this is my 3,000th post! HOORah! __________________ The new ride: 2023 Camaro, LT1, Sharkskin Grey Previous Performance Cars: 1966 Chevelle SS 4M, 2010 Corvette 6M 1968 Dodge Charger R/T Auto 2012 1SS 6M 1982 Corvette Auto 2010 1SS 6A 1984 Corvette Auto 2016 2SS 8A 1999 Camaro Auto 2017 HBM 1SS 1le 2002 C5 Corvette 6M 2018 2SS 2006 Corvette Auto 2023 Camaro LT1 Last edited by ParisTNDude; 04-13-2020 at 11:40 PM. Reason: Another comment.

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