a tick that i just can figure out
 

started about a month ago and i think i have it narrowed down to the harmonic balancer, its an 88 with a 4.0 and only have 99k miles on it. If the HB is off balance a little bit will it cause any major damage and could that be the source of the tick? I know its hard to do anything without hearing it so i will try and get a video of it up asap. Just wanted to know if anyone had a problem with a HB before and had a tick

The harmonic balancer will cause damage when it allows the belt to fly off or the outer piece of the balancer to eat through the timing cover.

I don't think you'd hear a "tick" but you would probably have a vibration. How does one get a HB out of balance? (other than missing a bolt)

A harmonic balancer that has failed will not give you a vibration like a wheel that is out of balance. The balancers fail when the outer ring moves as it has separated from the inner ring via a rubber coupling that has deteriorated. Take a gander at it and if the rubber is pooching out it's time for a new one.

A defective balancer doesn't make noise - but a loose chain hitting the cover does.

ok guys thanks for the tips. I crawled under after reading this and the clearance between the HB and the timing cover is slim to none, also the back side of the HB looks like a brake rotors thats been rubbing on something. what would cause it to slide back like that and start rubbing? Ill have to check on it again in the day light and see if maybe a bolt is gone. Hope it didnt wear thru the timing cover!

HB Fail and Seperate
 

I,ve had a balancer fail, I was searching for a belt or pully squeel for months. Finally discovered the outer ring of the balancer had moved back (about 0.10 inch) and was in contact with the timing cover. Replace with another pulled from parts pile engine. If you have to replace yours beg, borrow, or buy the kit, it works, Ive added a few extra bolts over the years to broaden the application range of the kits.

It does when the outer ring walks back into the cover like this one did.

This was a common customer complaint at the dealership years ago. People would complain of a noise from the front of the engine and we would find exactly what the OP just did.

I stand corrected on the "vibration". However, is there a better made part (now) if and when you have to replace rather than installing the same?

Not really. The rubber justs goes bad.

x2 and for 50.00 bucks everyone should just replace them if you have a 100,000 miles or more good insurance.

a post said their's had moved back .010 inches. In a perfect setting, how close (or far) should it be from the timing cover?

Hey everyone, took the jeep to the shop today to confirm it was a HB problem and get an estimate ( i love working on my own stuff but not in the montana winter when i dont have a garage) Turns out the front crank seal had blown out and caused the HB to rub on the timing cover. didnt rub all the way through so had the seal and HB swapped out and she is running like a dream again

Whooda thunk it? Congratulations on finding and rectifying the problem.

Ya im glad i took it in, i would have just swapped out the HB and called it good, that seal was hard to see. The back side of that HB looked like a brake rotor with 200k miles on it. it had been rubbing for a while but didnt go through!