The rubber in my harmonic balancer is worn out and the pullies have slid back on the crank 'nose' about 1/4" throwing all my belts out of line and tossing two of them. The Volvo tech down the street told me that my HB needs to be replaced. I've been reading the forums here and it's starting to sound like a big deal to get the bolt off and slide the HB off.

My questions are:
1. Is an impact wrench a must for that bolt?
2. Should I go ahead and remove the fan & radiator to have enough room to fight this thing?
3. Is there a keyway and will I need a new one?
4. Does it reinstall using the bolt as a 'gear presser'?

Thank you in advance. Any good advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-90...monic_Balancer

The holder tool is avalible from IPD and FCP groton.

 

Here's the skinny. Option A. Buy the aforementioned tool and do it right. Option B Use a breaker bar and have someone bump the starter, this will get the crank bolt loosened. However, you will have no way to tighten the new one down properly.The crank bolt will walk out and get lost. The balancer will come lose, you'll lose the keyway and possibly ruin the crankshaft. A local fellow I know had this happen just 2 weeks ago. There is a technique called the rope trick, where you pull a spark plug and stuff a cylinder full of rope until the piston can't move against it. This allows the crank bolt to get properly torqued. Option C. Use an impact wrench and gun it off and back on. Pulling the radiator is not neccessary but since you do have to pull the fan and shroud, pulling the rad is a cake walk at that point. Regardless of technique, it's vital that the crank bolt be properly torqued when installing the new balancer. Failure to do so can very well cost you your motor as it did my associate. Because the slot on the crank for the key way got "wallered" out prior to the pulley completely leaving the car the crankshaft is ruined. It's cheaper to swap in a used motor than to rebuild an old motor.

 

Thanks SJ, I think I'll go the impact wrench route. At this point it seems the easiest and most economical way to go. I used to have one, loaned it out and, well, you know... I think I can borrow one from a guy down the street. A Volvo tech told me the bolt was a 24mm? Someone else recommended that I get a used HB from a Pullyourown parts yard but I don't know. Seems you'd need an impact wrench there as well and there's a lot of stuff to get out of the way, ie. belts, fan, shroud, etc. and that's no fun flat on your back in the dirt with no air compressor for the wrench. What are your thoughts on this? I hate to spent the $80 on a new one but that almost seems like a lot less hassle. I'm doing this on a shoe string and have little money to spend but don't want to be penny wise and dollar foolish. Thanks a lot for your help