74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

[Todd L.]

I have never removed a harmonic damper before. The enclosed pictures are of the tool I am using and the damper. I installed the tool with three bolts, then the center bolt looks like it pushes in on the crank while the three bolts are what pulls it off.
I got to a point where the center bolt was tight against the crank, and it would not turn anymore. I applied more pressure and the crank is now turning.
Am I doing this correctly, and if so, how do I stop the crank from turning? For the center bolt I am using a pointed tip, there is also a flat tip I could use. I used the pointed tip so it would help align the bolt, but I do not want to mess up the threads.

Thanks

Todd

[John H.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

For the center bolt I am using a pointed tip, there is also a flat tip I could use. I used the pointed tip so it would help align the bolt, but I do not want to mess up the threads.

Thanks

Todd

Todd -

I'd use the flat tip, greased where it fits on the end of the threaded shaft, and greased where it contacts the end of the crank snout. Provides more surface on the crank snout for the tool to bear against, and won't bugger up the threads in the crank.

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Ok, I changed the tip out, I now have the flat tip on it.
How do I stop the crank from turning, when trying to remove the damper?
Can I tap on the back of the damper to "break" it loose?

Thanks

[Richard R.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Todd this may sound silly but did you remove the large bolt holding the balancer on? If you did I would rap the drive bolt right on the end towards the motor. Hope this helps Reed

[Harry H.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

I think there is a large washer you need to remove first.

Harry

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

I have tried all the posted suggestions, still damper will not budge. It felt like it was moving, but what I found was the three bolts were starting to bend. I am going to get some hardened bolts and try that. Can I tap the damper fro the rear outward with a rubber mallet?

Todd

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Todd, the harmonic balancer is tightly pressed onto the crankshaft, once it starts moving it will come off, you may need a 1/2 drive rachet or breaker bar that has alittle length. also remember the puller threads are fine so you may not see much movement.

Make sure that when you install the bolts as far as you can into damper and when you use the new harden bolts install some flat washers on bolts to help desperse the torque, and mount the puller as close to the damper as you can this will keep the bolts from bending.

If this is your first time doing this you may be thinking this will never come off, in all my years as a mechanic, I have never seen one that would not come off with a puller. and have never broke a bolt on the puller. GOOD LUCK

[Graeme B.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

I have tried all the posted suggestions, still damper will not budge. It felt like it was moving, but what I found was the three bolts were starting to bend. I am going to get some hardened bolts and try that. Can I tap the damper fro the rear outward with a rubber mallet?

Todd

Todd, don't hammer the damper ! It wouldn't help anyway.
Put a bar through the 3 bolts to stop the crank from turning.
It will come off. Cheers, Graeme.

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Add one more detail, for the removel, if you car is a stardard shift, put into gear and apply the emg. brake this will help with the engine turning over. if its a automatic, there lower dust sheild can be removed and install a old screw driver in one of the holes in the flywheel and wedge it against the transmisson housing, this may require a second hand.

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

The motor is removed so I have to wedge the screw driver or something wlse to prevent the crank from turning.

Also, in the pictures I posted I show my puller installed. Looking at it today one side is flat the other is rounded. If I put the flat side outward the bolts will rest flat against it. Previously I was putting the bolts on the rounded side and they were walking, which is how they got bent.

Should I put the flat side of the puller facing out, I am picking up grade 8 hardware?

Todd

[Joe L.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

The motor is removed so I have to wedge the screw driver or something wlse to prevent the crank from turning.

Also, in the pictures I posted I show my puller installed. Looking at it today one side is flat the other is rounded. If I put the flat side outward the bolts will rest flat against it. Previously I was putting the bolts on the rounded side and they were walking, which is how they got bent.

Should I put the flat side of the puller facing out, I am picking up grade 8 hardware?

Todd

Todd------


You are using the puller in the correct orientation. I don't even think you'd be able to install it if you reversed it. I would use a stack of several hardened washers under the bolt heads securing the puller flange to the balancer.

It will take a LOT of torque applied to the puller center bolt to get the balancer to budge and I mean a LOT. If you have a really high torque air impact tool, you might try that.

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Todd, lube -up the threads of the puller also , flat side out.The impact tool is okay to use, but if your puller is of the cheaper quality, you may pull the threads of the tool.

[Dennis S.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Todd, lube -up the threads of the puller also , flat side out.The impact tool is okay to use, but if your puller is of the cheaper quality, you may pull the threads of the tool.

I agree. First time I tried removing my balancer, I borrowed a cheap puller from my neighbor and the threads quickly became ruined. Went and bought a good quality heavy-duty puller and it came right off, using a long breaker bar. The engine was in the car, in gear, on the ground with the e-brake applied.

[Dick W.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Once you get the puller tight + one turn whack the end of the bolt with a large hammer, 4# or more. Usually that will start the pulley moving, you may have to do this two or three more times when the puller starts to get tight again.

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 LS4 Harmonic Damper Removal

Thank you to everyone who responded, I got the damper off this morning and very happy. Having never removed one, I was cautious. I did not want to break anything or get injured in the process. I intalled the grade 8 hardware, lubed the tip and the bolt; using a 1/2" ratchet I tightened the center bolt, and gave it a whack with the hammer. It was very tight, but I kept on turning and once I saw progress, my confidence went up and it got easier.
Here are a couple pictures, if anyone sees something wrong please let me know.

Todd