Harmonic Balancer - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Air&Road · #16 01-07-2013, 10:38 AM

Sounds like a crap shoot. I've seen a few that were really torn up that didn't seem to want to come apart. And I had one come apart that had looked great just before coming apart.

Obviously, the safe thing is to just spend a few hours and a few bucks and replace it. Also, that will let you sell the car with a clear conscience.

retmil46 · #17 01-07-2013, 11:18 AM

I wouldn't say we're really "selling" it to my old navy friend and his family....

My mom has been looking to sell the car for the past 4 or 5 years. Too much of a pain for her to get in and out of it now. Less than 40K miles put on it in the past 15 years. Just an extra vehicle that rarely ever gets used.

All we've ever gotten have been the low-ballers and tire kickers, or used car dealer reps who want to pick it up for a song and sell it for a handsome markup. Even personal acquaintances who have expressed interest have never came back with a serious offer.... not really surprising in these economic times.

My mother had made the decision to just give the car to my 86 year old uncle that lives up the road from us. But he's not in any kind of shape to even be crawling in and out of the car.

My friends in TX have had some hard times the past year or so. To the point that their one reliable vehicle was repossessed 3 days before Christmas. They're now relying on an old 92 Jeep Cherokee with a bad heater core and no heat, plus other numerous problems.

When I told my mother about this, she thought about it for a few minutes, then flat out said "Give them the Mustang. It would only be a toy for your uncle and his daughters. But these people need something to drive, so they have a chance to get back on their feet". You could have knocked me over with a feather.

That's why I'm being so particular going over the car - not to avoid any hassles or repercussions with a buyer - but more a labor of love to help out people who are all but extended family - to ensure they don't have to put any major money into it for repairs, and have at least one reliable safe vehicle to drive.

Not to mention their 13 year old son, my "nephew", is tickled pink at the prospect in 3 years of that being HIS car to drive.

Air&Road · #18 01-07-2013, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the explanation Mitch. With all that said and with your description of the balancer, if it were me, I would go get a balancer and open up the toolbox. Not only would it eliminate the risk of something happening on the trip to get it to them, it would also keep the people you're trying to help, from ending up with another problem to overcome while they're dealing with what they already have on their plate.

I have an Army buddy in the Smoky Mountains who has come upon really tough luck and I've tried to help him a little. I can only put myself in your place and if I was doing this for him, I would put a balancer on it before I headed toward his place with it.

FWIW.

Best of luck to your friends and congrats on trying to take care of them!

G-Benz · #19 01-07-2013, 12:03 PM

Replace it pronto!

Did so on my daughter's 98 Mustang (4.6 EFI). Wobbly at first then, noisy.

I took the serpentine belt off and tried each pulley to see which one was seizing...got to the harmonic balancer and it fell off on my hand!

jplinville · #20 01-07-2013, 12:03 PM

That's not a friend...that's a brother.

Air&Road · #21 01-07-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

That's not a friend...that's a brother.

I don't know if this is aimed toward Mitch or he and myself as well. My Army buddy in Tennessee is indeed a brother. He and I were born at the exact same minute of the exact same hour on the very same day. I don't know if that has anything to do with our connection or not.

My Army Buddy is too proud to accept any help so I have to send him money in a way such that he doesn't know where it came from. If he knew it were me, he would send it back.

MS Fowler · #22 01-07-2013, 05:17 PM

If it helps to know what you're in for, the Nichols'/Chilton Labor manual shows only 1.5 hours to replace the balancer. (Of course, the same manual shows that a tuneup on a Dodge van 318 should take 3.1 hours plus .6 hours if it has A/C) Your mileage may vary.

Brian Carlton · #23 01-07-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

(Of course, the same manual shows that a tuneup on a Dodge van 318 should take 3.1 hours plus .6 hours if it has A/C) Your mileage may vary.

There is a misplaced decimal point there............

Air&Road · #24 01-07-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

There is a misplaced decimal point there............

Don't worry, everyone has gotten buried in something like this at one time or another. Only someone with balance admits it though

Brian Carlton · #25 01-07-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Don't worry, everyone has gotten buried in something like this at one time or another. Only someone with balance admits it though

I spoke with the mechanic about this situation and this is exactly how a shop can take a bath. They quote a price of $300. to do the tuneup and they have to eat another 10 hours of struggling with the plugs............with the presumption that they don't have to remove the head. If so, it turns into the biggest loser of the month.

What customer would accept a bill of $1500. for a tuneup? Nobody would unless it was quoted in advance by a shop who didn't get suckered into it without looking carefully (which none of them would do).

retmil46 · #26 01-08-2013, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

If it helps to know what you're in for, the Nichols'/Chilton Labor manual shows only 1.5 hours to replace the balancer. (Of course, the same manual shows that a tuneup on a Dodge van 318 should take 3.1 hours plus .6 hours if it has A/C) Your mileage may vary.

I'm going to let the shop take care of the balancer and front oil seal - just because of the simple fact they have a lift.

I'm 5' 10 and 165 (read skinny as a rail), and even with tires one aspect ratio larger than stock, it's all I can do to just barely squeeze under the front end to put an eyeball on things - much less have any room to swing wrenches.

With the original low profile tires that were on the car when we bought it used back in 97/98, turtles must have been scared shyteless when they saw this car coming down the road - you had to run the front up on a set of those cheap plastic ramps from the parts store, to even be able to access the drain plugs for an oil change.

Middle of winter and cold damp ground, at my age, is not the best circumstances for tackling this as a DIY job.

Air&Road · #27 01-08-2013, 06:53 AM

I would probably do most or all of it from the top.

MS Fowler · #28 01-08-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

I would probably do most or all of it from the top.

You have very long arms??

t walgamuth · #29 01-08-2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

You have very long arms??

Anything like this?

Air&Road · #30 01-09-2013, 07:44 AM

That's me, but just a lot less hair.

Yes, I am long and lanky, but working from the top is my preference on something like this. If I walked up and looked at it though I might prefer doing it from the bottom IF it allowed me to do the job without pulling as many things off and out of the way.

A LONG time ago on this forum, like probably 11 years or so, there was a thread about changing oil on a 123. Without thinking about it I asked what was the big problem. You just lay down, slide a drain pan underneath and remove the drain plug.

Several people immediately responded by saying that they couldn't fit underneath far enough to reach the drain plug. Mike Tangas who had met me in person several times pointed out that "Larry is a bean pole."

I can indeed reach things that others might have trouble with and I take this for granted.