Homemade Crank Pulley Tool

I just whipped one up out of some bar stock and 3/8 rod... she’s ugly but worked perfect! Would be happy to TW express it to anyone in need! Having a welder now has opened up a lot of quick/easy avenues to get stuff done on the truck

 

Putting in work I see

 

Great work-around method; love to see out of the box thinking. This reminds me of a lot of trail fixes where ya just gotta make it happen with whats on hand.

 

Does anybody know what would cause a craftshaft pulley to wobble intermittently?

 

Good morning @Brie

The harmonic balancer has rubber that reduces engine vibrations, over time the rubber deteriorates and causes vibrations. Check for oils/fluids that might be leaking/oozing and causing premature wear. Most parts stores carry these NAPA/O'Reillys/Auto Zone/or online part vendors...probably Amazon too (lol)

Good Luck!

 

Thank you... The rubber is actually really worn, visibly. I know I need a new one, but i cant get it yet... So in the meantime is there any product i can get to apply to the remaining rubber to preserve whats left until I can get it changed out? There has to be some good that can come from damage control, I'd imagine.

Also is a crank shaft pully the same as a harmonic balancer? I cant seem to get a straight answer on this question.

 

Yes and to answer a previous question about the distance between the holes, it's 2.89" from center to center (a tiny bit more than 2 7/8"). As far as preserving the balancer, not likely, too early for a timing belt change?



Most tools like @zero4's don't require that measurement as they are adjustable. Here's the specs I used for making his:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...st-gen-edition.138573/page-7927#post-18172014

 

Good morning @Brie

The crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer are the same (other names it's referred to as- crankshaft damper, a torsional damper, harmonic damper, crank pulley damper, vibration damper, or crankshaft balancer). As far as preserving/extending the life, well I have never heard of any methods. A new aftermarket at O'reillys is $211, but there might be cheaper options. If you live close to any salvage yards/pull-a-parts/and such you might find one very cheap (however there are risk with installing used wearable parts). There are several cheaper options on Amazon too.

The harmonic balancer absorbs engine vibrations preventing crankshaft damage.

Good luck!

 

I fucking Love you guys! All so damn SMART!! I recommend this forum to everyone having mysterious engine/vehicle problems (even those who aren't taco owners) simply because of the breadth of knowledge and willingness to help that is contained here.
Thank you!

 

Sorry if this has an obvious answer, but is a tool required to hold the harmonic balancer if you have a manual transmission?
Will 5th gear hold for both removal and reinstall of the bolt? Thanks for the help.

 

It's a little late, hopefully you figured this out already, but just in case...

To remove it you can use the bump start method. Put a breaker bar on it and give it a quick bump with the starter. (remove the coils or ignition fuse so it doesn't actually start!)

But to re-install it, I would definitely go ahead and still use a tool. You've not going to get an accurate torque otherwise.

 

My bolt was so darn tight I thought I was going to break my breaker bar jumping up and down on the cheater bar extending it.

But because I found this thread afterwords, I used pulley removal tool I found on Craigslist, and to keep it from turning a very large pipe wrench.

At some point I will offer the tool back to Craigslist, but of course with the bite marks from the pipe wrench.

 

This tool worked for getting the bolt off, didn't stand up to torquing the bolt back down properly. Fortunately this is a parts store loaner tool, not a purchase.

Engine is out of the truck on a stand, I put a few bolts into the back of the crank with the fly wheel off and wedged this thing against the engine stand.

 

Yeah 1/8" isn't thick enough - 1/4" still flexes a little.

 

My father in law and I devised yet another way to hold the crank pulley while torquing. We used a piece old belt wrapped around the pulley and a chain wrench tightened over that with a handle extension. Quick and free!

(yes, I know we put the timing belt on "backwards" ...the arrows should point towards front of truck)

 

May not be a great way to do it. Some of the pulleys (harmonic dampers) have a layer of rubber between the inner part and outer pulley to dampen vibrations. By holding it this way you can damage the bond between the rubber and metal pulley. Sometimes this happens on its own after many miles.

I'm not sure if the outer pulley you held has this rubber layer, but I'd keep an eye and ear on it for any unusual vibrations or noise. Make sure it doesn't develop a wobble, etc.

 

it’s solid metal

 

Hey does anyone have a crank pulley tool for sale? Pm please. Homemade or schley i dont care. If not ill probably make one. The drilling through steel part is making me not want to do it though lol