Shaking......Harmonic Balancer???

[FunkyBoss]

Glad to see the site back up! Wanted to start by saying thanks to the guys who helped me with my last 2 issues regarding the battery cable and stalling issues, which I posted before the site went down. Incase your wondering, the dead battery was causing the car to stall after warming up :dontknow:!

Now I have a quick question regarding the harmonic balancer, which I beleive is the cause of the shaking my car is experiencing. It seems to be idleing ok, around 600 rpms, however, when I rev it up to 1000-1500, the motor and car shakes pretty bad. It does this whether I am parked or driving down the street and once the rpms are over 1500, it's smooth. Based on the research I've done, the harmonic balancer seems to be a pretty common problem, but I wanted to get everyones opinion as I would think the shaking would continue (or get worse) at higher rpms. Any thoughts???

 

[GDTrumbo]

Sounds like it's time to inspect it.

GT

 

[Venom351R]

how many miles on the car? They can start to go at around 70,000 miles but mine on my 95 GT lasted over 100,000. Check and see if you can notice any rubber sticking out of the balancer. If so its time to replace it before it shakes your engine apart.

 

[FunkyBoss]

121k miles on the car, I would assume the same on the motor but not 100% sure. I jacked it up and took a look from underneath, and there are a few spots where the rubber appears to stick out a little further, but it's really minor. Anybody have pics/comparisons of a good and bad balancer?

 

[Venom351R]

Ive seen pics of bad ones but I dont have any off hand. The other thing that will cause shaking at specific RPM's are bad U Joints.

 

[FunkyBoss]

I doubt it's the u-joints due to the fact that this issue just started with the head swap, but anythings possible. I fear I may have damaged the balancer when torqing it down by sticking a bolt through one of the holes to lock it in place, I had no idea the piece was so fragile!

 

[Venom351R]

I suspect it is the balancer as well I was just throwing out other ideas. Considering the miles on it replacing it would not be a bad idea to begin with and if there was no more shaking after you will know that was the problem.

 

[FunkyBoss]

Guess that will be my next purchase, thanks for the assistance Venom!

 

[Win]

One other thing you could also check would be the driveshaft . I myself had my balancer go out on my old vert at 52,000. Now on my 94 GT i have now it's still the original one and it has close to 180,000 on it and has never been replaced. I am sure it is time to replace it but i have no driveline vibration yet.

 

[FunkyBoss]

The shaking happens when the car is parked or driving, which pretty much rules out the drive-shaft as well as the u-joints (which I just realized lol).

 

[Win]

ok ok i just read in your OP you stated sitting or driving

 

[FunkyBoss]

lol, no worries ccasion14:

 

[Venom351R]

The shaking happens when the car is parked or driving, which pretty much rules out the drive-shaft as well as the u-joints (which I just realized lol).

Yup more then likely your balancer. I dont think they cost to much but I have not bought one for a long time but they run anywhere from $65.00 to $200 + depending on what you want to get.

 

[FunkyBoss]

Yeah, Advance has a Dorman for $65 and a Pioneer for $60, or I can go with a Professional Products balancer off ebay for $85, haven't decided yet.

 

[Paul]

A stock replacement type balancer will be fine for you. No need to spend big bucks on a nice balancer. Do you have a balancer puller/installer?

Paul.

 

[94 DropTop]

heres a pic. http://www.allfordmustangs.com/photopost/data/500/medium/crankBal_004.jpg

 

[hollywoodstang]

Hey PAUL how long do these harmonic balancer supposed to last? I replaced mine last year and it is starting to wobble again...i am pissed! I got the ford racing stock replacement. Should i upgrade to billet one or something?

Thanks

 

[GDTrumbo]

Hey PAUL how long do these harmonic balancer supposed to last? I replaced mine last year and it is starting to wobble again...i am pissed! I got the ford racing stock replacement. Should i upgrade to billet one or something?

Thanks

Do you still have the receipt?? It may have a 1yr. replacement warranty.

GT

 

[FunkyBoss]

A stock replacement type balancer will be fine for you. No need to spend big bucks on a nice balancer. Do you have a balancer puller/installer?

Paul.

Yep, already got a puller. I guess it won't hurt to save $25, but is the $85 Pro. Prod. balancer any good?

Thanks for the pic DropTop. Mine certainly isn't that bad, yet!

 

[94 DropTop]

anytime i just found out what rubber everone was talking about.LOL