Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ideas for removing harmonic balancer????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 14, 2007 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
muncie21's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default Ideas for removing harmonic balancer????

Started taking apart my C5 to put a new cam in it this weekend. Need suggestions on removing the balancer.

So far I've used a 3-arm puller and succeeded in snapping 4 or so bolts on the puller. After upgrading to Grade 5 hardened bolts I snapped off ears from the puller


After reading some old threads on LS1 Tech, I picked up a OEM GM/Chrysler puller from Autozone


The rod that came with it is too short. Tried to use a push rod, but it bent like a pretzel.

So....any ideas/suggestions for removing the balancer?
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2007 | 09:22 PM
  #2  
ColtGT4g63's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Default

I bought my puller off the Cornwell truck at work, cost me 78.95$ and its part number is LS49500. Worked great for me, I had to use the largest rod, but had no problems removing the balancer.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2007 | 09:36 PM
  #3  
babydeuce's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 15
From: Box Elder, SD
Default

I used an 8" 3 jaw puller that I bought at harbor frieght. It is a little tricky to get the 3 arms just right, but it did the trick. Best part, it cost about 8 bucks.

Jack
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2007 | 09:53 PM
  #4  
muncie21's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default

LOL, well my 3 jaw harbor freight puller is now a one-jaw puller. About as usefull as a one legged man in an *** kicken contest.


Originally Posted by babydeuce
I used an 8" 3 jaw puller that I bought at harbor frieght. It is a little tricky to get the 3 arms just right, but it did the trick. Best part, it cost about 8 bucks.

Jack
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2007 | 11:00 PM
  #5  
massls1guy's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Mass
Default

I used the 'chrysler' puller from autozone last week, came off easy.

I removed the pulley bolt and used a fat short socket as a spacer against the crank - maybe it was a 19mm. Then after the pulley was out a bit I swapped in a deep socket to finish the job.

I would never use those skinny rods as a spacer.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 02:15 AM
  #6  
babydeuce's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 15
From: Box Elder, SD
Default

Originally Posted by muncie21
LOL, well my 3 jaw harbor freight puller is now a one-jaw puller. About as usefull as a one legged man in an *** kicken contest.
No doubt that they are cheap as they come, but it worked on mine.

Jack
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 05:42 AM
  #7  
muncie21's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default

The puller bolt didn't mushroom from pushing against the socket?
I thought about doing something like that, but figured the end of the bolt pushing against something would be too much friction....hmmm might be worth a second look.
Originally Posted by massls1guy
I used the 'chrysler' puller from autozone last week, came off easy.

I removed the pulley bolt and used a fat short socket as a spacer against the crank - maybe it was a 19mm. Then after the pulley was out a bit I swapped in a deep socket to finish the job.

I would never use those skinny rods as a spacer.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 08:04 AM
  #8  
massls1guy's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Mass
Default

Originally Posted by muncie21
The puller bolt didn't mushroom from pushing against the socket?
I thought about doing something like that, but figured the end of the bolt pushing against something would be too much friction....hmmm might be worth a second look.
No damage to the bolt or the socket. Someone posted about doing it this way a while back. It took a few tries to get all 3 puller arms to stay on while keeping the socket in there and hand tightening the bolt down enough so it all stayed in place. A second set of hands would have helped with the set up.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-4

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-8

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 02:02 PM
  #9  
3.4camaro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Galveston, TX
Default

Use sockets instead of a pushrod. Sockets are hardened
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 09:00 PM
  #10  
Dmitriy's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Near Seattle, WA
Default

Hey, I got the autozone puller and it too had a rod that was a bit short, but I just threaded in a longer bolt where the old crank bolt used to be and it came out really smooth. The bolt I used was M16x2.0 pitchx120mm long, this also helps keeping you from stripping the crank threads when having the stock crank bolt threaded in half way trying to pull the pulley off.

Here is a pic of the longer bolt waiting for the pulley -



This also helped me -
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23 (last section in part 1)

Cheers and good luck!
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 09:07 PM
  #11  
MJD's Avatar
MJD
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, OH
Default

I used a 6" socket extension with the puller I rented from advance auto parts. Worked great.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 09:21 PM
  #12  
muncie21's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default

Well fellas I finally got the cursed balancer off tonight.

Many thanks to my friends here on LS1tech, Jack D., and Mr. Adams. Couldn't have done it without you guys.

Ended up using a socket (as suggested) for a spacer. Needing some addtional length (haven't heard that one before,mind ya) I had to put in a 1/4 to 3/8 socket adapter in the socket to make room.

Here's a before and after shot of the pulley remover that I rented. If anyone gets this unit after me, please, please don't hold me accountable for the condition it's in.....it's all GMs fault

Before



AFTER

Reply
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 09:47 PM
  #13  
Websy21's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
Default

definetly fubar'd lol but atleast you got the beotch off
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 10:07 AM
  #14  
RE AND CHERYL's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 0
From: Dover DE
Default

I love using tools that aren't mine.

Re'
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2007 | 12:20 PM
  #15  
fbodyforever's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
Default

the autozone one is about the easiest way to go. i turned a little spacer in a lathe to push against that sits on the end of the crank, works awsome. damn should sell these things, lol, who wants to buy one!?!?!?!
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2007 | 07:37 PM
  #16  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default

I use a BIG allen head cap screw with some large flat washer. I put the cap screw in the hole after removing the crank bolt. The puller rod buck up against the cap screw and the allen head forces the puller rod to be self-centering. If the puller rod is long enough you shouldn't need an extension.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2007 | 11:49 PM
  #17  
BeemerZ28's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: SLO/Chino Hills, CA
Default

man your guys autozone sucks mine had a 2/3 arm puller and the screw was super long like if I remember maybe about 6" long, Crankshaft pulley was super easy, now the timing chain collar now that was a bitch to get off, arms at the wrong angle, nothing a little steel wire couldnt solve
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2007 | 08:03 PM
  #18  
jegten's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: NM/FL
Default

Originally Posted by massls1guy
I used the 'chrysler' puller from autozone last week, came off easy.

I removed the pulley bolt and used a fat short socket as a spacer against the crank - maybe it was a 19mm. Then after the pulley was out a bit I swapped in a deep socket to finish the job.

I would never use those skinny rods as a spacer.
+1

i did exactly the same when i was pulling the stock harmonic balancer. is that what you have, gar?

how are things in Indi, bro?
i just changed cams. the first one did not even have 400 miles in it. LOL
went with the original streetsweeper, and milled the heads to 59cc. LOVE IT!!


PS:just saw you pulled it. lol
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2007 | 07:40 AM
  #19  
98Camarod's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 2
From: Summerville, SC
Default

I have the SOLUTION. I bought a plug that is about an 1 1/4 wide that has just enough room for the puller to spin in it. Its some heavy duty **** that only costed 2 bucks. I tried using washers and those bent all to hell.

I also made the puller as short as possible. My balancer came of with zero problems. I bought the 3 arm puller from advance, if it breaks, they give you a new one.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2007 | 11:05 AM
  #20  
muncie21's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by jegten
+1

i did exactly the same when i was pulling the stock harmonic balancer. is that what you have, gar?

how are things in Indi, bro?
i just changed cams. the first one did not even have 400 miles in it. LOL
went with the original streetsweeper, and milled the heads to 59cc. LOVE IT!!


PS:just saw you pulled it. lol
I'm getting settled in to Indy. Still not as fun a A-town.
Can't believe you changed cams so soon. I need to talk you into get FI'd that way I could pick up all your discard parts. LOL
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:44 PM.

story-0
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-4
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-5
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-6
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-9
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE