i've been getting some funky vibes from my 3.1 RS

i'm thinking that the harmonic balancer might need to be changed???

any thoughts?

 

get a gear puller and look at it. If it looks F'ed up you know its that... 3 bolts and a puller is all that's needed if I remeber correctly.

 

A visual inspection may be all that's necessary. A stock balancer is made up of a steel inner hub, a rubber isolation ring, and an outer ring. As you view the balancer from the top, the rubber ring should be in line with the metal inner hub and metal outer ring, on both sides. If the rubber is "sneaking out" from between the two, the balancer should be replaced.

You could also look at the usual stuff; vacuum leaks, exhaust leaks, timing, condition of ignition parts, etc...

 

mine had 4 bolts.

you could always get a welder & some machine equipment & put in balance shafts

 

Well I quess with your small head you can fit it between the engine and radiator.... Though you could always use a mirror. But its best to have it in your hand.

 

Haha, let me get this straight: You're telling me it's impossible to see the balancer, yet, you want him to take it off???

All the 2.8/3.1's have plenty of room between the crank pulley and radiator to inspect the balancer. Removal of the crank pulley would help, too. A crank pulley goes on with a few bolts. A harmonic balancer needs to be removed (like you said) with a puller, and then re-installed either correctly (with a tool) or incorrectly (with a hammer).

Seems to me a visual inspection is the way to go, but hey, what does my little head know?

 

i just replaced mine... the rubber was sneaking out.....

so go ahead and check it out

but dont buy it from GM its 189 bucks

whereas autozone special order is 79 bucks

 

so you can stand on your head too huh?... I would rather just have it in my hand for a proper inspection.

 

lol

 

Oh lord, you're an idiot.

 

No Tomp. I would just raterh be looking at the part clearly. Not doging around different objects and what not to get a glimpse of it. After all it only what a 45 job?... If that to remove and reinstall. And If it is in fact bad you already have it off ready for replacement.

 

You should be able to jack the front of the car up and support it properly , and inspect th balancer from under the car easy enough.

 

Tom Never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with expeirence.

lol No offence Camaro Hunter.

Now as far as inspection. I would say take it off. But you can look at it as plain as day on my car with a visual inspection. But I do not have AC.

Just my $.02

 

I say take it off cause you can barely see where the timing tabs are, much less anything else. yeah if you got one of those folding mirrors you can look at it decently. But you have to remember tom Not all cars(Like yours) have the V belts. Those serp equipped cars 86-87-up are pretty cluttered in that area. hell I can see the top of mine, but thay does'nt mean the rubber coming outta the back of it!.

 

Place a light under car, let idle. Look.
Should easily be able to tell.
IF separating, light under will show it quite well, as you look from above.
IF balancer is spearating and it's off, do the timing chain, too.
Cause one follows the other.

 

well whatever you do.. dont pull it out until ur really sure that u have $$$ to replace it ... cos its 80-90 bucks

 

Good point.
On my 91 RS I was hearing the same thing for a couple of weeks it just came and went. When i finally opened the hood and looked while the car was idle it sounded like it was the balancer. I have a stethiscope (spelling??) for the car and I checked it out closer to find out where the sound was coming from. You can use a long piece of hose to hear where the noise is coming from aswell. Come to find out it was just the water pump bearing had went out, so just make a closer inspection before stripping anything so you dont end up spending $$$ you dont have.

just my $.02