Replacing Harmonic Balancer/Crank Seal Stuck!
01-23-2017, 07:23 AM
#1
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Replacing Harmonic Balancer/Crank Seal Stuck!
Hey everyone,
First things first, I am no mechanic and this is my first post so thanks in advance for any information. I have been reading through threads for the past month prepping to install a new HB and now ther time has come. I just removed the balancer with no issues, and was going to replace the crank seal while I was replacing the balancer. Cannot get the seal out! I have gently used a flathead screwdriver to try to pry out the seal (only succeeded to pull out bits of rubber, but the face , hard plastic, of the seal is not budging) as well as Needle nose to try and move the seal. Does anyone have suggestions to remove?
First things first, I am no mechanic and this is my first post so thanks in advance for any information. I have been reading through threads for the past month prepping to install a new HB and now ther time has come. I just removed the balancer with no issues, and was going to replace the crank seal while I was replacing the balancer. Cannot get the seal out! I have gently used a flathead screwdriver to try to pry out the seal (only succeeded to pull out bits of rubber, but the face , hard plastic, of the seal is not budging) as well as Needle nose to try and move the seal. Does anyone have suggestions to remove?
01-23-2017, 07:52 AM
#2
Beach Bum
Will likely need a seal puller similar to this one pictured.
Last edited by SteveMongr; 01-23-2017 at 09:12 AM. Reason: added picture
01-23-2017, 03:39 PM
#3
Senior Member
Welcome to the forum!
When I did mine the seal body (steel) had bonded to the cast aluminum timing chain cover.
A screwdriver was driven into the side of the metal seal body at several locations to persuade the seal that it was time to be free.
When I did mine the seal body (steel) had bonded to the cast aluminum timing chain cover.
A screwdriver was driven into the side of the metal seal body at several locations to persuade the seal that it was time to be free.
01-24-2017, 08:10 AM
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Thanks everyone,
I found a video on youtube describing something similar to what wingless was saying....
I was hesitant to take a hammer and screwdriver to the seal (especially because the face and sides are metal, making me think that I could be damaging the actual rank area) but I ended up doing that. The seal eventually folded over on itself and I was able to replace it with the new seal. Thanks for the replies! Now on to the power steering pulley......
I found a video on youtube describing something similar to what wingless was saying....
I was hesitant to take a hammer and screwdriver to the seal (especially because the face and sides are metal, making me think that I could be damaging the actual rank area) but I ended up doing that. The seal eventually folded over on itself and I was able to replace it with the new seal. Thanks for the replies! Now on to the power steering pulley......
01-24-2017, 06:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thanks everyone,
I found a video on youtube describing something similar to what wingless was saying....
I was hesitant to take a hammer and screwdriver to the seal (especially because the face and sides are metal, making me think that I could be damaging the actual rank area) but I ended up doing that. The seal eventually folded over on itself and I was able to replace it with the new seal. Thanks for the replies!
I found a video on youtube describing something similar to what wingless was saying....
I was hesitant to take a hammer and screwdriver to the seal (especially because the face and sides are metal, making me think that I could be damaging the actual rank area) but I ended up doing that. The seal eventually folded over on itself and I was able to replace it with the new seal. Thanks for the replies!
This image shows the beginning of removing my seal.
Last edited by wingless; 01-24-2017 at 06:23 PM.
01-24-2017, 09:26 PM
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Yes! That was very helpful. After realizing that I could bend the face of the seal, I was good to go. I wrapped the balancer, then tackled the power steering pump install and tomorrow is going to be the new water pump and thermostat install. It's been a big learning curve to tackle these projects and a big thanks to the community for all the info.
