Atilla the Fun

Okay guys, I'm beyond angry with the worse-than-words design of the LQ4 damper not having 3 holes, nor any easy way to add them. I'm designing a new puller. So far I have about $20 worth of investment, per puller, in materials, and then there's the welding. Who would spend $40 for such a thing?
I'm also gonna post this on some other forums.

chevymec

iTrader: (5)

Isnt the LQ4 balancer just like the LM7 balancer?

Atilla the Fun

Yep. Same part number, even.
I've done it with a 3-finger puller, but that's just aggravating.

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

I bought a 3 jaw puller from AutoZone and it worked fine for me, was about $30 if I remember correctly.

The only trick to using it was you have to put something between the head of the damper bolt and the puller because once you get to the end of the threads on the puller there's like another 1/2" to go before it's all the way out.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

there are three small lips on it. a medium size three jaw puller will get it. i also took an old balancer bolt and ground the washer part off of it. then drilled a dimple in the middle of it so the puller would stay centered. also they make a bolt that is longer to reinstall it to. sometimes the regular bolt will strip on them.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

when reinstalling, do not use the bolt to press it on. you run a good risk of ruining the threads. use threaded rod, washer, and nut. the rod will be stationary and use all the threads for leverage, not just the first couple. if you can't find the right side rod, there's a guy on 'tech that sells this setup for about $20. well worth not having to buy a new crank

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

All stock LSx balancers are removed/installed the same way. It's not a big deal

First time I used a 2 jaw puller. Had to use clamps to keep it attached, but it came off without much fuss

Second time I rented the advance auto 3 jaw. Easy as pie

+1 for the threaded rod trick, the nodular crank does have hardened threads, but I still dont trust it to pull an interference fit balancer on

Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

I rented the internal puller from Advance auto. Worked "ok" I had to craft some stuff up for it to work but it did ok.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

they sell a bolt to install it with. it is much longer and grabs way more threads. i bought a balancer installer and modified it to work. this is what i call my ls1 tool kit. magnets so not to play russian roulette. my homemade spring tool. works good. small puller for the balancer and modified bolt. and the modified balancer installer. all together this dinosaur kit has helped me install over 10 heads and cam packages and over 30 cam installs including 7 that i did in my 2002 chevy silvy back in the day.

dynodanmanda79

iTrader: (1)

I got pissed when I was trying to pull the damper off my LM7, none of the Autozone 3 jaw pullers did it for me so I bought a puller for $50 on the internet and it worked perfectly. Looks like this:



I ordered this bolt and a few washers from Mcmaster-Carr to install the damper: Hex Head Cap Screw Class 10.9, M16 Size, 120mm Length, 2mm Pitch

chevymec

iTrader: (5)

Thats a great puller!! I still love having an LS tool kit!!

dynodanmanda79

iTrader: (1)

That puller works the best imo, I also bought a Kent-Moore J-42386-A flywheel hold tool that bolts in where the starter goes when you want to remove or torque the damper bolt, it's about $100 but well worth it imo.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

$150.00 bucks. wow. i suppose that is cool. i have about $50.00 wrapped up in mine and havrything.e worked great since 2002. and that is ev

dynodanmanda79

iTrader: (1)

To each his own, I've tried all the 3 jaw pullers from autozone and none of them worked, they may have worked for other people but they didn't work form me. I'm not even trying to argue but what's a $150 when we're spending thousands on this swap anyway?

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

After giving up on my normal 3-jaw pullers that kept sliding off, I borrowed this style from Advance Auto. The only issue I had was that the shaft was too short, so I had to stick a socket into the hole in the crank for that shaft to ride on. Once I did that, the tool worked beautifully.

Atilla the Fun

Okay guys, again, I did get it done with a conventional puller, but I was wanting to know if anyone thought a dedicated, easy-to-use tool would be worth $40.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, if i didnt already have a 3 jaw setup, i might.

dynodanmanda79

iTrader: (1)

You know now that I remember, I tried that same puller for Autozone and they have it named as a chrysler harmonic damper puller and I remember it not having the right length rod. I'm glad to see you were able to make it work.

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

not knocking you at all. pricey. but i really like that puller. as a matter of fact i might just buy one. been getting some hits on cam installs again. 1000's. yep. i was lucky enough so far to be given heads, cam,ls6 intake with fuel system, timing chain, oil pump, bbk throttle body, valley pan, and some sensors for free. all off an 04 gto with 60000 on the ticker.