Rb26 Harmonic Balancer Stuck

[LuckyTune]

I was planning to change the timing belt over the weekend (first time since I have had this car) and when I got to the harmonic balancer the bolt was loose and the balancer is stuck on.

My concern is that the key way is bent, basically I was putting as much force on the puller as I could with a 1/2 inch ratchet, and wasn't game to try with a breaker bar.

Now I'm wondering whether I just leave it as is until the water pump or timing belt goes and then rebuild or do I sacrifice the balancer and puller to get it off and hope the crank is ok.

Any advice or tips from anyone who has been in this situation would be great

[tridentt150v]

Try using some WD40 on it and leave it for a while to penetrate??

Also maybe Freezer spray???

Never had it before, but just thinking of other bolts and pulleys/cogs and how I've got them off and Oxy warming is prob not a goer for this one lol, although I have heard of jugs of boiling water being used.

[Missileman]

what sort of puller are you using, claw type or bolt type?

[LuckyTune]

Yeah I will try lubricating some more - main concern is that the key way is damaged and if I force it off I will be up for a new crank.

I was using a bolt type puller but it looks like someone else has had a go with a claw puller because part of the lip on the front has been snapped off

[Missileman]

give it a go with the breaker bar, high tensile bolts and a can of freeze-orf

spray the freeze shit into the crank bolt hole and nowhere else,

[GTRPSI]

OP mentioned Bolt was already loose, ill bet key way and key is damaged.

Get the best puller you can and have fun now.

Dont let it go till the belt breaks......valves will meet pistons.....

[Missileman]

yeah thats why I suggested squirting the freeze spray up the bolt hole, it will shrink the crank a little away from the the balancer

[Shoota_77]

I hate to be captain pessimist but there is a bloody good chance your oil pump is on it's way out too.

On RB's loose balancer bolt quite often leads to shattered oil pump. Happened to me and a few others I've about.

[LuckyTune]

sounding more and more like engine out to me, unfortunate

[jiffo]

If the balancer bolt was loose often the balancer will flog out the key way as well as the key.

Then the balancer can rotate slightly and jamb on the remains of the key.

I'd persevere with decent puller bolts.

Easier to do this work in-situ than chasing an engine around the shop on a stand.

[LuckyTune]

will likely need a new crank though?

[jiffo]

Flogged keyway can be repaired, common fix on Rd's is to cut a new keyway 180 out.

You won't know the extent of damage until the balancer's off, might be perfect…..fingers crossed for you.

[LuckyTune]

thought i'd revive this, has anyone heard of a new keyway being cut/ground with the engine/crank still in the car?

[zebra]

Sounds dodgy as f**k considering it would normally be done in a mill

Good luck cutting an accurate woodruff keyway by hand

[LuckyTune]

i am picturing some king of clamping mechanism locking a router type tool into place on the crank

[GTRPSI]

i am picturing some king of clamping mechanism locking a router type tool into place on the crank

Yep, but good luck getting it close enough into towards the block with the motor of the router in the way.

Only way is crank out and CNC or manual mill a new one in.....

It can be done by hand, if your just fixing it to sell, but good luck to the poor sucker who gets stuck with it.