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CJ7365 · 04-10-2018, 09:57 AM

2005 W22 8.1

On my way back from a weekend trip, I noticed at idle and slightly above idle I had a mild vibration in the steering wheel, hardly noticeable, but I know I never had it before, and because of this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/harmo...ec-373856.html

I decided to take a look at my harmonic balancer.

The first video you can see a slight wobble, because it was so slight, I was trying to convince myself it was normal. Had my buddy Olskool4x4 take a look and he could see it too.

So after gathering the parts, and reading up on how to change it out, I put a new one on.

After reading about the 8.1 Harmonic Balancer, I found out that this is not your normal HB, it is a press fit, with no keyway.

On most HB installs you can simply use the crankshaft bolt to push the HB on, that is because they are not a "press fit" HB and this is how I have put on HB in the past.

I read about numerous people trying to use the crankshaft bolt to push the 8.1 HB on and have stripped the crankshaft threads.

The proper way to get the 8.1 HB on is with a HB install tool, it is a simple tool that you could make your self.

I am sure there are some that have used the crankshaft bolt to get it on and had no problems but this time I was taking no chances.

After an order from Amazon and a couple of trips to the autozone for the install kit, none of them had the right thread pitch for the 8.1 crankshaft threads.

So I went ahead and bought the OEM dealer install tool as I did not even want to take a chance with stripped out crankshaft threads. I paid $115 for the install tool.

Here are some pictures of my old HB, and a before and after video of my old and new HB.

Also if you look at the video, I had a slight crankshaft seal leak, not enough to form drops, but I replaced it has I had the HB off. Pretty easy task. I found that a 2 1/2" pvc coupler made for a perfect fit to install the new seal.

Slight wobble that I could feel in the steering wheel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeieyDwfN5Q

New installed HB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHB77As9BM

The picture of the old HB you can see the rubber is not uniform around the pulley, the new one is, this is what I believe if left alone would result in HB failure, just my opinion, based on the new HB install with even rubber and no wobble or vibration in steering wheel.

I just wanted to post this, so WH owners that have a slight vibration in your steering wheel to check your HB, of course if you have the UFO chassis you will probably not feel the vibration, so visual inspection could validate a faulty HB.

Sorry I did not take any pics of the install, but did take a pic of the install tool in the old HB it has a nice spacer to compensate for the deep HB.

While I was waiting on the install part, I inspected the idler pulley and tension pulley and found on bearing was slightly worn, I replace both pulleys.

I have to mention that I referred to Kevins videos of how to change out the fan clutch and used to the tools he mentioned in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arVkjHR1PSA

olskool4x4 · 04-10-2018, 08:01 PM

Great write up, it's been a long time since I've seen such a good write up.

Bob_C · 04-10-2018, 08:32 PM

Ad that is a proper tool....

ktoutoor · 04-11-2018, 12:03 AM

Thanks for posting Video. How many miles on your RV when harmonic balance began to fail ?

CJ7365 · 04-11-2018, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktoutoor

Thanks for posting Video. How many miles on your RV when harmonic balance began to fail ?

36,000

CJ7365 · 04-11-2018, 08:32 AM

I forgot to post the puller I used.

The 8.1 HB has 3 indentations on the back for a 3 jaw puller.

This puller is designed for the 8.1 HB puller, I did not try to use a generic puller.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

vettenuts · 04-11-2018, 11:02 AM

How did you stop the crank from turning when you tightened the bolt? Was it a torque value or TTY rotation?

TexasTom · 04-11-2018, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the post. You guys are a lot better than me because I don't see a noticeable difference between the two videos.

CJ7365 · 04-11-2018, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

How did you stop the crank from turning when you tightened the bolt? Was it a torque value or TTY rotation?

I stuck a long pry bar between the spaces on the HB turned the engine manualy until the oposite end was against the frame, worked perfect

The bolt is torqued to 189ft pounds

CJ7365 · 04-11-2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasTom

Thanks for the post. You guys are a lot better than me because I don't see a noticeable difference between the two videos.

It was more noticable live, but I think the best part to see it is the last part of the video were I zoom in.

What also convinced me was the slight vibration in the steering wheel while idling.

The vibration is gone now

F4Gary · 04-12-2018, 12:26 PM

So is it more of an out of round wobble vs a for and aft wobble?

PJStough · 04-12-2018, 12:36 PM

When my harmonic balancer failed, it did not vibrate, but moved forward enough to ruin and eventually caused the serpentine belt to fail.

CJ7365 · 04-12-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4Gary

So is it more of an out of round wobble vs a for and aft wobble?

From what I could tell yes more out of round, I had no wear on the serpentine belt as you would expect if it was from for to aft. But I believe if left alone it would of moved for and aft and caused the serpentine belt to wear and eventually break.