86' fj60 replacing harmonic balancer???

[charlestonfj60]

i am good with repairs but how hard is it to replace the harmonic balancer. what are some tricks to make it run smoother. how much do one of these cost???, thanks jason

 

[60wag]

The balancer for a 60 is at least $300 new from the dealer. Try to find a used one (Cruiserparts.net?) Make sure the rivets are tight. Getting the nut loose to remove the balancer can be a problem. Do a search on "removing the BIG nut". Bumping the starter with a jumbo wrench propped in place can work but be careful. Once the nut is off, a universal puller should easily pull the balancer off. Hopefully the shaft key isn't buggered.

 

[ellington12]

if you have access to a compressor and an air gun, this makes life a lot easier.

here's how i did mine;

remove belts, fan, and fan shroud. crank pulley nut is 42mm so a used a 1/2 impact gun and a big 42mm impact socket and nut came right off. i used a universal pulley puller to pull the pulley off.

in my case, the woodruff key which indexes the pulley was thrashed. this was a major bummer since i didn't have a new one and the job got sidelined. i'd recommend not only getting a pulley but a new woodruff key as well. they're cheap and you'll be glad you have it if you end up with the same surprise as i did.

i left the front crank seal alone but if yours is suspect, i'd change it while the pulley is off.

 

[madmike]

i replaced mine last year ( during the H55f upgrade). Got the part from cruiserparts.net for 100 bucks and the keyway(or whatever its called) from toyota for 5 bucks or so. I would also purchase a new crankshaft pulley nut (42mm) from toyota as well. You will not be able to reuse the old one. After repeated attempts at removing the nut with an impact wrench and trying to bump the starter with an attached socket/pry bar combo I had a better idea. I took a piece of scrap angle iron (about 6-8'') and did a quick weld between the bad pulley and the frame. Then slipping a about a 6ft piece of black over the end of the wrench i pulled for all i was worth (which wasnt much after shoving the new tranny/transfer case back into position). The nut finally gave way. The big problem with using that much leverage without securing the pulley/balancer is that the pistons will start turning. Hope this helps...good luck

madmike

Oh yeah....dont forget to grind off the weld after your done.....lol