SPONSORED LINKS

Broken crankshaft

Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Mechanic was fixing a jammed harmonic balancer and broke the crankshaft in the process. How difficult is this to do?
Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

That is the heart of the motor. It is a complete tear down.

It is easier to replace the motor than do this.

Tell him he needs to replace the motor for you. You are not responsible for this since he brake the crankshaft.

I attached a picture for you of the location.

Roy
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you for your reply. I have one more question, if I may. Is this a common occourence with a stuck balancer and do you know how much force would of had to be applied to break the crankshaft? Is this an easy thing to break? Thanks again for your time!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, it is not common.

There are removal tools for the balancer that do not damage the crankshaft at all.

If he was using the correct tool, he would not have broken the crankshaft.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi! I had some new info that I would value your input on. The repair shop had initially told me that the crankshaft had broke when they were replacing the harmonic balancer, but after looking closely at my vehicle, from what I can tell, it looks like they broke the bolt off inside the crankshaft the attaches the harmonic balancer. What would be your recommended repair for this? They wanted me to pay them almost $6,000.00 for a new engine. I don't trust them and was wondering what your thoughts were on something like this.
Thank you so much for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Do you mean they broke the bolt that secures the balancer to the front of the crankshaft?

I attached a picture for you to view.

If that is the bolt, they can drill out the bolt and replace it with a new one.

The only way that could not be done is if they were installing the replacement and they cross threaded the threads. Then the crankshaft has to be replaced.

Roy

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

REMOVAL SERVICE POINT
[[A]] CRANKSHAFT PULLEY REMOVAL

imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

Use special tools MD998715 and MB990767 to remove the crankshaft pulley from the crankshaft.

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINT
]]A[[ CRANKSHAFT PULLEY INSTALLATION
Use special tools MD998715 and MB990767 in the same way as during removal to install the crankshaft pulley.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 AT 4:22 AM
Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Roy,

I think that is it, but I added this picture to help explain what I am not sure of. This is what it looks like now, which it seems to me that the bolt is broken off inside there, but honestly, I am just not sure what it is.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The second picture shows a part of the bolt exposed. Does that come out by hand?

The first picture looks like they tried to drill the bolt but they did it off center and will never work.

They really messed this up as it looks the the balancer inner section is still there.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I tried to loosen the bolt by hand but it will not budge. I'm at such a loss here. In your opinion, what do you think would be the best way to fix this? I know I'm out of my depth here and I so much appreciate your time and input.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

You're 2 easiest options is number 1 what Roy mentioned by drilling a hole in the center and to use an EZ out. What the EZ out does is that it has reverse-counter clockwise threads and it backs the broken bolt out by loosening while being tightened counter-clockwise. I've attached a picture of an EZ out extractor below. Your 2nd option would be to find someone with a welder and find a nut to weld on to what's been left broken off. Just find a non stainless or galvanized nut and have them use the center opening to weld it on. Try to use a socket and ratchet to back the remainder out. If these 2 options don't work the the whole engine will have to come out ad be majorly overhauled. Just wanted to add my 2 cents. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
MAEEAST7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Danny and Roy, I just want to say thank you again for all you time and help! I wish people like you were close by but at least I found y'all through the web. You both have been very helpful. I think I'll have it towed to a different shop and share the info you both had. Hopefully, this can be fixed without it being totaled. Wishing y'all the best! Thanks again! :-)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 4:28 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 4:39 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
You're welcome!
Definitely keep us updated as to the outcome. Thanks again for using 2CarPros and we hope you will use our site again in the future.

Danny-
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Crankshaft Content

Replacing the Crankshaft
VIDEO
Replacing the Crankshaft
Instructional repair video
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links