jessebuickguy

iTrader: (1)

I was trying to replace my optispark, and I cant seem to remove the Crankshaft balancer from the hub. The balancer hub seems to be rusted or really stuck on there, I was able to remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the hub. Any good ideas on how to remove it.. Thanks

goat-ee

They don't just come off, you must get a puller. Something similar to this.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

A balancer remover from you local parts store is my best recommendation.

EDIT: heh Goat beat me by a few seconds

jessebuickguy

iTrader: (1)

I tried that tool, that removes the hub not the balancer. I don't need to remove the hub I believe, to change the opti.

fordeater

iTrader: (5)

you can pry it off, but thats only if your getting an all new opti. I just turn and pry and it pops off.

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

try a rubber mallet

97LT1

iTrader: (3)

I remember I modified the above tool to accept bigger bolts, to take off the dampner.

crazyhorses

iTrader: (1)

There was prying involved but I used some liquid wrench, or you can use pb blaster, then I hit it with a mallet all around the edges to get it loose.

Mojave

iTrader: (4)

I used a breaker bar as an extension, and beat all around it with a big hammer. The trick to getting it off is more force all around the balancer. Mine was stuck pretty good, but time/PB Blaster/hammer and it will come off.

FlamingChicken

iTrader: (2)

with all the beating and soaking to pull the damper off why not just leave it on and pull the whole hub assembly? not near as hard as a lot of people make it out to be.

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

^ that tool he posted does work at taking off just the pulley. there are three holes you can screw those bolts on the pulley. then just tighten it until it comes off. make sure you are just pulling on the pulley not the hub

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

i just held the balancer at 9 and 3 o clock and wiggled it and it came off. get a rubber mallet and hit it all around and see if it wiggles off.

oh and as some advice, if you get fustrated, just give the opti a nice hit and just go "oops, i missed!" haha.

formula1785

iTrader: (12)

i just recently took my balancer off and put a new crank pulley from bbk...i took off 4 bolts not three...the ones on the balancer and the one in the center of the balancer..i think it was a 15 or 16 mm deep stocket...spray some W-D40 on it and just tapp it out with screwdriver and a hammer..

LT1Formula007

iTrader: (66)

just to shed some light opn this, I JUST did 2 opti's last week for a friend and my brother. On my friends car the balancer was stuck to the hub really good. And the only way to get it off was to take a 3 jaw puller and put it on the balancer and remove it that way. Just be careful b/c the balancer is a 2 piece design. It has a rubber piece that bonds the inside and outside of the balancer together. Also FYI the fan does have to come out to get the puller in there. IF that does not work just use a hammer and a block of wood or a rubber mallet and club the **** out of it. Just be sure to club all the way around the balancer and NOT in just 1 spot!
Good Luck!

James