95 Lesabre - Harmonic Balancer

I have the belt off of my car. How can I check to see if the harmonic balancer is causing a noise? Is the harmonic balancer supposed to make a noise when turned clockwise and counterclockwise by hand? It doesn't make a noise at that time, but when it won't turn any more in that direction, I get a "clang" noise each direction.

I bought a poor man's stethoscope, and it lead me to believe I have a considerable noise with the water pump so I am in the process of replacing it. I'm scared that I'm barking up the wrong tree, and that perhaps it is the dreaded H.B.

Any guidance would be appreciated!

I have a 91 century that had me saying the ecact same things. I had repalced the water pump about a month ago and thought it died (cause that happens to me with rebuilts). I had the same clank and could confirm that it was the balancer because could see the rubber was cracked and broken away from the hub. Sounds like it is not the water pump but the balancer. I have never heard a water pump make as much racket as my balancer did. What is the sound like when it is running? if it sounds pretty solid and metalic and is it worse at idle? or different gear? mine got bad in reverse. These dont point to the water pump but probably to the balancer. was not a hard job realy. Had to borrow a puller and had trouble finding the threaded holes to use but, comes off and goes back on pretty easy. But that was mine in a 91 3300. I think you have the 3800 like my 98 lesabre seems like it looks pretty similar but not sure right now.

I had the same problem, didnt know what it was, replaced water pump, power steering.
Finally, I took off the balancer and saw on the back where the arms could (and had) hit each other. I put a ty wrap around the suspected arms and re installed. Sounded much better, which prooved it was HB.
I dont think you should be able to get a clang by turning it by hand, sounds like its shot.

does it wobble at idle? that would be a good sign that it's out of round...

yea i have a 90 lesabre presidential and i too htought it was the water pump, i fired her up, and it was the harmonic balancer, i guess it was rotted and so old and tired.....

Mine was the harmonic balancer