Barney Eaton Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I just had a call asking if the harmonic balancer bolt is right or left threads. The caller said they have tried breaking it loose both ways and it has not moved.before going to plan B they want to be certain the direction. I checked the parts book and it really doesn't say but I would think if it were left hand that would be in the description. we need an answer so the bolt can be removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselsouth1 Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Harmonic balancer bolt is right hand thread. Removes counterclockwise. The pulley may need some "persuasion" to come loose from the crankshaft end, as it may seize to the crank. No puller should be needed. A little "PB Blaster "may help to loosen the grip on the shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Watch the video in the link below and I believe you will agree that it is a normal right hand threaded bolt.Harmonic Balancer Bolt Removal*-*ReattaOwner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Nether my 1/2 inch impact wrench nor the starter trick would work for me, had to use a pipe extension on a large breaker bar to crack it loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WEB 38 Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 A Little heat will help, Mapp gas is hotter than propane. Bill WEB 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry yarnell Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I've had HB bolts refuse to budge with a good 1/2" impact, but spun right out with a 3/4" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 Thanks for the info, I have passed it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 On our church car repair days I play service writer. We had gotten in a Buick Park Avenue that needed a harmonic balancer replaced. I saw two of our guys trying different ways to get the bolt loose. Couldn't get it to come loose. I told them about the breaker bar/starter trick. They looked at me like I had a third eye. Imagine their surprise when it worked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEMO Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 You may need to heat and lube many times , or for a few days. The P B blaster takes time to get in, and by warming , this expands things alowing the lube to do its job. This takes time, repeating this time and time and time and time .There is no QUICK fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kitskaboodle Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 About a year ago I had to replace my crank sensor so I had to removethat bolt too. As I recall I wedged the end part of my breaker bar towardsthe radiator side and cranked the starter. Worked like a charm. Kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Beg to differ Nemo, a bigger hammer (more power) is always the universal "quick fix" Didn't you watch Tim the 'Tool Man' Taylor? :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rendrag Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I am sure the balancer bolt is right hand thread. However, the torque spec on that bolt was something like 165 to 220 ft. lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rendrag Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I am sure the balancer bolt is right hand thread, However, the torque spe is like 165 to 220 ft. lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEMO Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Then a hotter flame , burn the car off the bolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 88atta Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 NemoGreat idea! Do you or did you work for OSHA or the National Security Agency by chance? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Now you got the right idea!My impact wrench is quite capable of more than 400 ft lbs of torque and wouldn't budge that nut. No idea how much the starter motor would supply, but in my case that wouldn't budge it either. 20 year putting significant muscle onto a 6 foot pipe extension managed to crack it free.If your doing this often, a 3/4 inch impact wrench capable of over 700 ft lbs of torque would be highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEMO Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I have seen many results of rush jobs, done by the PRO's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) Anyone know what size that bolt is? Is it 28 mm? My water pump went bad, I threw a belt and ripped it to shreds. The remnants of the belt are wrapped around the crankshaft snub , behind the balancer. I figure it will be easier to remove the balancer to unwind the belt. Edited November 7, 2011 by waltmail (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I used an 1-1/8" socket to remove the bolt. You should check closely for damage to the Crankshaft Position sensor and the blades on the back of the balancer while you have the balancer off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I used an 1-1/8" socket to remove the bolt. You should check closely for damage to the Crankshaft Position sensor and the blades on the back of the balancer while you have the balancer off.Thanks, it did knock the sensor plug off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 The bolt is a boogerbear to get out.. 297ft lbs of torque. Took two full grown men to get mine off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Have seen two different sizes of HB bolt. One is 15/16" and the other is 1 1/8". I just have a 1/2 impact. Sometimes it takes a while but always comes loose.BTW that is 297 N-M which is "only" 219 lb-ft. Do not need to play godzila. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I think Godzilla must have tightened mine. My 1/2" CP impact wouldn't touch it with my smallish 120 PSI limited compressor. Higher PSI might have done the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I forgot at the NM torque specs, Padgett.. you're correct.. I just saw 297 and got scared right there. I think Godzilla must have tightened mine. My 1/2" CP impact wouldn't touch it with my smallish 120 PSI limited compressor. Higher PSI might have done the trick.Agreed.. mine was crazy tight.. Starter trick didn't work. 1/2" impact didn't work. Even with the really big air compressor. Finally used a pull bar, and about a 4 foot metal pipe with two men pushing on it, and one holding the flywheel. That got it loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Maybe the last person tried for 300 lb-ft also. First "C" I changed, I just used a 150 lb-ft 1/2" beam wrench and pulled til it hit the stop. No problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadster90 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hey folks,Now that Ronnie has the way to get the bolt out on his site, what is the best way to retorque the bolt please? I know it would take a torque wrench and a fair amount of torque, and the proper way would be to lock the flywheel under the car probably, but is there an easier way from up top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Remove a spark plug and use clothes line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I used an 1-1/8" socket to remove the bolt. You should check closely for damage to the Crankshaft Position sensor and the blades on the back of the balancer while you have the balancer off.Well, I got the balancer out and your suspicions/warning was spot on. The blades on the back of the balancer look like a train wreck. I picked up a replacement sensor, now I need to find a replacement harmonic balancer. Any one have one for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Got mine from O'Riley's for under $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 bump. Ronnie, did you know this link no longer works?Harmonic Balancer Bolt Removal - ReattaOwner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 bump. Ronnie, did you know this link no longer works?Harmonic Balancer Bolt Removal*-*ReattaOwner.comThanks for letting me know. Videos on ReattaOwner.com no longer work. I have added a link on my website to the proper video on youTube. Here it is if you need it.Removing a harmonic balancer bolt on a Buick 3800 V6 - YouTube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 hey thanks that was the same video I watched earlier today. Good to know it's the same procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Is installation easier than removal or is there more to it than just bolting the new one back on? Does it have to be pressed on or fitted a certain notch way besides being torqued down? I saw torque values ranging anywhere from 150-300!! Not sure they make a torque wrench that large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 (edited) 219 ft/lbs according to the 88 (89) final edition manual... i just torqued my ancient craftsman t/wrench past the 150 it goes until the metal gauge bent enough that if the gauge continued, it would be around 220... no problems with the crankshaft balancer since...replaced it a couple months ago, (used ronnie's video to get it loose). had no problems with it fitting back on. (it did take a little while to get the crank sensor placed as it should be).hope this helps! Edited June 8, 2012 by Corvanti (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 219 ft/lbs according to the 88 (89) final edition manual... i just torqued my ancient craftsman t/wrench past the 150 it goes until the metal gauge bent enough that if the gauge continued, it would be around 220... no problems with the crankshaft balancer since...replaced it a couple months ago, (used ronnie's video to get it loose). had no problems with it fitting back on. (it did take a little while to get the crank sensor placed as it should be).hope this helps! I found this info on another Buick forum from a mechanic. I'm not clear on what this means or if it even applies to the Reatta 3800. What is a "keyway"? :confused:"when you are ready to reinstall the new balancer lube the crank shaft with engine oil and what whatever you do, DO NOT LOOSE THE KEYWAY. Make sure the balancer plates align perfectly with the crank sensor or else you risk damaging the sensor and its mount. Spin the engine by hand so that everything runs smooth and don't forget to torque the center bolt to 186 ft lbs in two stages." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 A "keyway" is a notch cut inside the hole in the harmonic balancer, (see photo below), and the outside of the end of the crankshaft. There is piece of metal called a "key" that fits halfway in the balancer keyway and halfway in the crankshaft keyway that ensures proper alignment when you install the balancer. If you have any doubts about having the tools and knowledge needed to change the balancer, I recommend that you get a mechanic to change it for you... or find a helper with the knowledge that is needed to do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks ronnie. I understand the overall concept after studying a few replacement articles, I'm just trying to nail down the finer details. I just ask alot of questions before tackling something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest moldymac Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Good to see my old lesabre video has made its rounds around here When torquing the bolt back down I like to put a pair of vice grips on the flex plate, does the trick every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I bought a 24MM socket and it's too small. So what's the correct size socket to remove the 88/89 bolt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I believe it is 1-1/8" if I recall correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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