Just bought my first Jeep a few weeks ago and hoping I can get a little assistance. It's a 2002 Liberty w/the 3.7L and has unfortunately suffered from fallen rocker syndrome. Intake rocker on #2 cylinder fell off and broke the lifter guide right off the head. I have most of the engine torn down, but I've run into an issue where I can't seem to get the balancer bolt out of the crankshaft. I've tried an impact with no luck and can't seem to find a good place to hold it from turning while trying to use a breaker bar. Any of you more experienced possibly have a tip/trick to holding the balancer to get this bolt out? From the research I've done, it does appear that the bolt is standard, right hand thread.? Thanks in advance.
Harmonic balancer removal
- Thread starter enj
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
jeeptorino68
Full Access Member
The bolt is standard thread. So righty tighty lefty loosey. Anyways. I have always used an impact to pop it out (at least on my 4.7 v8) when re-installing I used chain through the balancer to the sway bar to keep it from spinning while I torqued it. Same should work in reverse with the impact too.
Wow look at all the gunk inside..Shameful ! :emotions34:
There is a reason why you do a frequent filter &...
61412[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach
Attachments
I put a long flat bar (from a belt tensioner tool) through the "spokes" in the balancer and then wedged it against the right side inner fender. Then used a 2 foot breaker bar with the appropriate socket to loosen the bolt. I did the opposite to torque it when done.
Bought a new impact and the bolt came right out. Working on it outside and the weather has been awful up here in New England, so haven't had much progress until today. Got the passenger side head off finally and thankfully the pistons all look good. On to the driver's side tomorrow and hopefully start getting it back together next weekend.
Hits just keep on coming with this thing. Heads are finally both off. Crawled underneath and the oil pan is nearly rusted through. Already have a new one, but this doesn't look like it's going to be a fun job at all. Picked up an engine support bar, hoping I can raise it enough with the heads off to slide the pan past the cross member.
JeepJeepster
Full Access Member
Nothing against you as you bought it used, but it amazed me that an oil pan can rust out. My KJ is 14 years old and has 107K miles on it. The oil pan and transmission pan are still shiny....
Winter & road salts eat stuff bad. We've seen some real cancer/rusted pans in the forums.
If you want parts to last, got to keep it clean, & throw some paint on it for extra protection.
61570[/ATTACH]"]
Even with a new oil pan, I'd give a few more coats of rust paint externally before installing it.
Salt *****! :emotions34:
If you want parts to last, got to keep it clean, & throw some paint on it for extra protection.
61570[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach
Even with a new oil pan, I'd give a few more coats of rust paint externally before installing it.
Salt *****! :emotions34:
Attachments
Mine covers itself in oil, Jeep really did a good job with the self rust proofing. 
It's not completely rusted through to where it's leaking, but while I'm removing it to make sure the pickup screen isn't full of gunk like the passenger head was, I may as well replace it. I'll post up some pics when I get it off.
Here's what made me go ahead and replace the oil pan:
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Similar threads
