Harmonic Balancer Replacement??

[lburgguy]

02 Xterra with 2.4L inline 4.

I have a bad harmonic balancer. I can verify it by watching it wobble around with the engine at idle - not to mention the God-awful sound it's making. I drove with it like this for 100 miles today but I think the noise/vibration only kicked in at idle.

Question: I'm a fairly competent guy, can I do this repair myself? Do I need to pull the radiator to give me that much more room to work with? Can I drive it to a shop like ten miles away without damaging the engine if need be?

Any comments would be appreciated. You know, it doesn't seem that dificult on the face of it, just that there may be things I haven't thought of because I've never done this repair before. Actually, I didn't even know much about a harmonic balancer before today. Thanks a lot guys!!

[muadeeb]

Can you do it? Yes you can! The FSM does call for the radiator to be removed. Read up on the procedure in the FSM here: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/xterra/2...em.pdf#page=21

On a side: have someone push the clutch in and out and see if the pulley moves too. If it does, the thrust bearings in the bottom of the engine may be bad.

[lburgguy]

What the heck are the locator bearings? Never heard of these before. I'm not exactly a big Nissan fan these days, I swear my Mazdas never let me down like this truck. (Don't hate me for saying that).

[muadeeb]

Sorry, wrong name. "Thrust Bearings" are what I was thinking of; they locate the crank shaft in the proper position in the block.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdl7texNgBk

[lburgguy]

I still have a question or two.

1. Do you think I can remove this without removing the radiator? I mean I have a few inches forward of the pulley to work with. Has anyone done it this way?

2. I had my front seal replaced last year and the balancer (pulley) was removed at that time and I was told it would need to replaced soon. I should have done it then but does it being removed only a year ago indicate it may be easy for me to remove now?

3. If I do this myself, I've never used a pulley puller before. Apparently there are two types? Which if any would I need? Maybe it would be loose enough to pop off with a strategically placed screwdriver??

I guess I'm looking for advice about this whole thing and I hate that I only have limited time and limited experience in fixing this.

Thanks for any input!!

[muadeeb]

Originally Posted by lburgguy

I still have a question or two.

1. Do you think I can remove this without removing the radiator? I mean I have a few inches forward of the pulley to work with. Has anyone done it this way?

Can you? Maybe but it's only about $20 of fluid. You'll want to get an impact wrench on the crank bolt, and you'll probably need the extra room.

Originally Posted by lburgguy

2. I had my front seal replaced last year and the balancer (pulley) was removed at that time and I was told it would need to replaced soon. I should have done it then but does it being removed only a year ago indicate it may be easy for me to remove now?

Likely easier than if it was 10 years old, but you'll still need the puller

Originally Posted by lburgguy

3. If I do this myself, I've never used a pulley puller before. Apparently there are two types? Which if any would I need? Maybe it would be loose enough to pop off with a strategically placed screwdriver??

You'll need a puller; a screwdriver could damage the timing chain cover, leading to contact with or damaging the timing chain. The FSM shows a two-jaw puller, but the VG33 needs a harmonic puller. I'd be prepared with both, but someone who's dealt with a KA24 will know better.

Originally Posted by lburgguy

I guess I'm looking for advice about this whole thing and I hate that I only have limited time and limited experience in fixing this.

Thanks for any input!!

[lburgguy]

Thanks Muadeeb. I'll report back what happens. Really appreciate your time.

[lburgguy]

Wow this is a hard part to find. Dealer is my only option I can find and they want $300!! Crazy!