Front main seal/ Harmonic balancer shim/washer/spacer?

Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I need to know if this shimmer washer even is supposed to go onto my car or if my harmonic balancer being a smooth hub on it does not require this washer or shim if it does require it then does it go on before the timing cover and making the order shim timing cover seal harmonic balancer or does it go timing cover shim seal harmonic bouncer?
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 1:08 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,266 POSTS
It would help if you uploaded an image of what you are seeing. There is a shim between the harmonic balancer and the lower timing gear which is called a "friction washer" so yes you need this. The washer goes behind the harmonic balancer, not behind the seal. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I uploaded severalpics
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I'm not sure why the uploads didn't work the first time will reattach immediately
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Here is the shim/ friction wAsher by itself
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Here is my style harmonic balancer which I have only found 1 other bravada or 4.2L that had the same one as mine out of all the extensive research and out of all the pics on Google images and also any 4.2 that I have pulled parts from at several junk yards. Is there a specific name or part number or generation that I can add to my searches? For future reference.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Another picture of washer or shim or spacer whatever it's called
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
BUGGZ1NER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Your picture states
1 washer
2 timing cover
3 seal
4 Harmonic balancer

Your text Implies
1 timing cover
2 seal
3 washer
4 balancer

If you could please clarify that for me I have not went any further in my nightmare of a project because I'm unsure with the order also if you could look at the part number on the seal and tell me if that is the proper CO4 my harmonic balancer with smooth hub

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME MUCH APPRECIATED!
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 30th, 2026 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,266 POSTS
Yep, the new seal can look different than the original. I have never seen a harmonic balancer that looks like that. Just keep searching, I would look on ebay. The seal goes into the timing cover, the friction washer goes on before the balancer. Let me know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 AT 9:50 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Crankshaft Front Crankshaft Seal Content

Crankshaft Main Seal Replace - Front
VIDEO
Crankshaft Main Seal Replace - Front
Instructional repair video
Crankshaft Seal Leak Symptoms
GUIDE
Crankshaft Seal Leak Symptoms
A crankshaft seal located at the front and rear of your car's engine, and is designed to control motor oil from leaking as the engine is running and the crankshaft is...
VIEW MORE