The crankshaft plays an important role in turning your car’s wheels. It’s what converts the power coming from the engine into forward motion that propels your car forward. Every time the crankshaft is exposed to the movement, though, it vibrates and resonates. Eventually, vibrations become worse, resulting in crankshaft failure. In order to prevent that, harmonic balancers are used.
What are harmonic balancers? They’re circular discs with a hole in the middle and two opposing tabs on either side of that hole. They’re placed onto the front of the crankshaft so they face each other, but do not interfere with anything else. When the engine is running, these harmonic balancers help reduce vibrations by allowing them to pass through the shaft’s centre hole, and then out through the tabs on either side of it. This makes for more efficient power transmission and prevents damage from occurring.
Where are Harmonic Balancers Used?
Harmonic balancers are found on most modern vehicles. They’re usually attached to the front of the crankshaft in order to prevent vibrations from reaching other parts of the vehicle’s engine. They can be found on all types of engines including gas, diesel and hybrid motors. Some harmonic balancers are made out of metal while others are plastic.
Where Are They Located?
They’re usually placed between the flywheel and the transmission, but some models have them in the centre of the engine block. They’re usually positioned on the front side of the crankshaft, which is the side closest to the flywheel.
What’s Their Purpose?
Harmonic balancers reduce vibrations by allowing them to pass through the shaft’s centre hole, and then out through the tabs on either side of it. This makes for more efficient power transmission and prevents damage from occurring. When properly maintained, a harmonic balancer can last up to 160 000 kilometres. They’re often used on diesel engines and hybrid motors because they don’t require a fan.
What are Their Parts?
Harmonic balancers are made up of two main components: the housing, which is usually plastic; and the shaft itself, which is made out of metal. The shaft has small tabs that allow it to fit into the housing without any interference.
What Does Balancer Failure Look Like?
- You’ll notice a rattling sound coming from the front of your engine when you’re driving
- The engine will seem to be vibrating or shaking more than usual; this is an indication that something isn’t working correctly
- There may be some oil leaks coming from the balancer as well.
These are all signs that something is wrong with your harmonic balancers.
How do You Replace a Balancer?
Replacing car harmonic balancers is fairly easy, especially if they’re made out of plastic. The first thing that you need to do is drain the oil in the engine and then disconnect the wiring harnesses connected to them. Next, remove the harmonic balancers by removing their mounting bolts and then disconnecting the front pulley on the crankshaft.
Once you’ve done that, remove the harmonic balancers and replace them with new ones. Some models have car harmonic balancers made out of metal; these are slightly more complicated to install because they might need some adjustments before being put back into place.
How do You Adjust a Harmonic Balancer?
If your balancers require adjustments, then check the following:
- First, make sure that the tabs on either side of the centre hole are facing towards each other properly. If not, then adjust them until they are.
- Make sure that the shaft isn’t bent or warped, which can happen if it’s been hit by something and needs replacing.
If there’s any damage to the balancer, replace it immediately with a new one.
How do You Know When to Replace Your Balancers?
You should check the condition of your balancers at least once every year. This will allow you to catch potential problems before they occur and prevent damage from happening. If you’re unsure about how to check them or if there’s something wrong with them, have a professional mechanic do it for you. Check the condition of your balancers by turning the engine on and listening to see if they’re working properly. You’ll be able to hear whether or not they’re making any strange noises.
What are the Common Balancer Problems?
There are several issues that can occur with harmonic balancers and cause them to break down prematurely. These include:
- Improper installation; if you don’t know how to install balancers properly, then it’s best to leave that up to a professional mechanic.
- The wrong type of balancer is being used on your vehicle; make sure you’re using the right model for your engine and its specific needs. This will prevent damage from occurring more quickly than expected.
- Your balancers might have been hit by something when they weren’t supposed to be. If you hear a rattling sound coming from the front of your engine, then there’s a chance that something has hit one of the harmonic balancers.
What are the Symptoms of a Broken Balancer?
- Engine overheating – This is usually caused by a broken balancer because it allows coolant to leak out and cause more damage than usual.
- Rusted or damaged parts – This can be due to leaks in the cooling system or oil pan, which will make it harder to find out what’s wrong with your car.
How Much Does a Balancer Cost?
balancers can be found on different types of vehicles and they have prices that vary according to their model, brand and size. For example, the harmonic balancer for a BMW 5 Series costs about $80 while the one for a Toyota Corolla is only about $40. Depending on how old your vehicle is and what kind of engine it uses, the price for balancers can range from $30 to over $500.
How Often Should you Replace Your Balancer?
It’s recommended that you change balancers every 100 000 kilometres or so. This will help prevent problems from occurring and make sure that your vehicle stays in good condition at all times. If your car has a lot of kilometres on it and hasn’t been maintained properly, then you might need to change them more often than that.
