Harmonic balancer procedure

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Joined
Aug 10, 2026
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Location
St. Augustine, FL
I couldn’t find a full write up on replacing a harmonic balancer on an 80 series. Anything out there? I was trying to figure out an engine noise and then noticed play in it so looking at tackling that.
 
Pretty straightforward just need to get the big bolt loose after that it comes right off.
For me I removed the radiator to make room to work.

Edited looks like I just pull cardboard in front of the radiator to protected it ;) post #4
 
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Search for any of the "oil pump cover leak" threads as the HB has to come off for that. Also search "Crank pulley tool" and there are a few discussions on the various methods (Starter bump versus big impact wrench, ---)

@tjrober2 : Can you post up a video (or link) showing the loose HB? Do you mean it is visibly wobbling when running?
 
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Or a big breaker bar ;) and a @CPACruiser crank tool
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Whatever method you use, be careful when removing the harmonic balancer not to drop the key.
Is this a real thing? I have removed over 40 balancers and never had the woodruff keys move. I have removed the keys before and needed a brass punch to get them out. I feel like this is one of those things people warn about that could be an issue but is not.
 
Is this a real thing? I have removed over 40 balancers and never had the woodruff keys move. I have removed the keys before and needed a brass punch to get them out. I feel like this is one of those things people warn about that could be an issue but is not.
Over 40 against 1! You experience speaks by itself. I agree with you that maybe it is a non-existing horror story! But since it appears to have a play in it, it doesn’t cost anything to pay attention.
Cheers
 
Is this a real thing? I have removed over 40 balancers and never had the woodruff keys move. I have removed the keys before and needed a brass punch to get them out. I feel like this is one of those things people warn about that could be an issue but is not.
I’m right there with you, never found a loose key in the many I have removed.

There is enough room to get a breaker bar on the bolt without pulling the radiator, though the radiator not being in the way is a big help. Balancer pulls right off once the bolt is out. If your oil pump housing has not been resealed, do it at the same time - most common oil leak on the 1fz and most common reason to pull the balancer.
 
Sorry, I've been MIA - glad to hear about the hopefully non-issue of the key. It looked like there was plenty of room for a very large breaker or a very large man to hang off a slightly shorter breaker. I tried to get a video but my camera is broken on my phone. It essentially looked like the large crank pulley would walk in and out. I ended up giving it over to a shop because I have 2 other projects going on right now and don't have time for another vehicle maintenance thing. I will report back if it was indeed the HB.
 
@tjrober2 : Also make sure, while the HB is off and out of the way, that the shop checks the oil pump cover for leaks. If it is covered in oil/grime and has never been worked on before now is the time to replace the oil pump cover gasket (formed O-ring). Also replace the belts (AC and both Alternator belts, OEM fit correctly)
 
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