harmonic balancer question

[I'll_SHO_U]

I'm in the process of doing the lower 60k and I've gotten to the point were I've gotten the balancer off. After inspecting it I've noticed that the rubber is cracked all the way around. The motor has 122,000 on the clock and the car is from michigan if that makes a difference. I'm wondering if I need a new/used balancer or not? Thanks.

 

[MOSHO92]

ummm rubber? I'm pretty sure mine was metal, it sure was heavy.

Are we talking about the pully that is directly connected to the crankshaft and spins all the accesories?

 

[pjtoledo]

uuuummmmm rubber? Yes, rubber. It's what holds the outer ring on.
Are the outer ring timing marks still where they belong? Which means did the ring slip any. Sure it is a crack and not a mold mark? Kind of hard to visualize it, any possibility of pics?

Perry

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

Perry,
I'm sure were talkin about the same piece of rubber. Its really really thin, about a 1/4 inch if that. Nothin appears to be outta line. Its not like its moveing around or anything its just were the rubber touches on both sides its were it looks like its cracking. I'll have a mechanic look at it if I can't get a picture posted. Thanks for the replys.

 

[sdpatt]

For the record, the part in question is not a harmonic balancer, but instead, a crankshaft damper, or dampner. It is a symmetrical and internally balanced pulley with a rubber mounted outer ring. Its purpose is to provide a measure of crankshaft impulse dampening and to provide a source for driving the accessory belt(s). The rubber may crack on the externally exposed surfaces, but as long as the internal bond between the inner and outer portions of the damper are intact, the damper is still viable.

 

[I'll_SHO_U]

Thats what I needed to know. Thanks sdpatt for peace of mind.