Harmonic Balancer Removal

DSTEENBOCK

MEMBER
2002 CHRYSLER 300
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

My wifes 2002 Chrysler 300M. She was complaining of a squeal that never produced itself when I listened for it. I assumed belts, but I checked them out and they really didn't look too bad. She got home from work the other day and said it was worse, that it was doing it at stoplights when before only when she was moving.

I looked at it again, and it was the idler pulley. It was wobbling and groaning and squealing, so I just cut the AC belt until I can deal with it.

But then I noticed the harmonic balancer was wobbling too. It only wobbles at idle though, at higher rpm's it's straight.

So I'm wondering, is wobbling at idle normal and if so how much wobble is too much? It looks like it is wobbling too much to me, but I don't know for sure. If it's not wobbling at higher rpm's, does that mean it's in no danger of failing in the immediate future?

Thanks a lot for any insight into this.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This could be normal but you need to make sure this is not just an illusion with grooves in the pulley having some paint or something else on it. It will make it look like it is wobbling.

However, if this is not on straight then it needs replaced.

Here is a guide that will help with replacing this:

https://youtu.be/WITN7Q8SX1U

I am attaching the process below on how to replace the balancer. Please run through this info and let us know if you have other questions. Thanks

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