5SFE engine balancer

does anyone know how to measure the backlash on the gears (crank to pinon) to get the proper shim thicknes on the engine balancer
sincer joe

Here's the procedure:

1. Remove the oil pan and oil strainer
2. Check backlash of crankshaft gear and No. 1 balance shaft gear. Notice: Backlash between the the crankshaft gear and No. 1 balance shaft gear varies with the rotation of the balance shaft and the deviation of the crankshaft gear. Accordingly, it is necessary to measure the backlash at 4 points - 30 degrees ATDC, 100 degrees ATDC, 210 degrees ATDC, and 280 degrees ATDC. The two indexes (punch marks) on the No. 1 shaft must be measures twice each to get the four points of crank rotation.


Identifying the punch marks:
(a) Rotate the crankshaft 2 or 3 times clockwise to settle the crankshaft gear and No. 1 balance shaft gear.
(b) When No. 1 piston is at TDC, check that both the punch marks (Punch marks C) on the two balance shafts are aligned with the grooves of the No. 2 housing (6 o'clock position).
(c) Check that the other two punch marks on the No. 1 shaft are at the 11 o'clock (Mark B) and 4 o'clock (Mark A) positions.
(d) First turn the crankshaft clockwise, and align the groove of the No. 2 balance shaft housing with the punch mark A of the No. 1 balance shaft (mark A is now at 6 o'clock).
(e) Using SST 09224-74010, position the SST pointing toward 6 o'clock and mount a magnetic dial indicator on the bottom of the block, placing the dial indicator stem in the third indentation in the SST, perpendicular to the SST stem.

Hints:
When setting up, gently turn the No. 1 balance shaft by hand, until resistance is felt and then measure the backlash. Rotate the No. 1 balance shaft initially 4 or 5 times to provide a steady backlash reading. To prevent excessive backlash due to thrust clearance, measure the backlash while pressing on the rear of the No. 1 balance shaft. Do not strongly turn the balance shaft.

Standard backlash is 0.060 - 0.100 mm (0.0024 - 0.0039")

(g) Remove the dial gauge and the SST
(h) Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the groove of the No. 2 housing with the punch mark B (B is now at 6 o'clock) and measure backlash as above.
(i) Turn the crankshaft clockwise again to align the groove of the No. 2 housing with the punch mark A and measure backlash as above.
(j) Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the groove of the No. 2 housing with the punch mark B and measure backlash as above.

If any of the above 4 points measured exceeds the backlash specifications, adjust the backlash with new spacers - use the same spacers for both the left- and right-hand side.

Varying the spacer thickness by 0.02 mm (0.0008") changes the backlash by about 0.042 mm (0.0017").

If the backlash is greater than the permitted maximum, select a thinner shim. If the backlash is less than the specification, use a thicker shim (I question this statement).

To replace the spacers, uniformly loosen the 6 outer bolts in crossing pattern (one corner then opposite corner then adjacent corner then opposite corner then opposite middle then other middle).

Replace spacers

Torque balance assembly by pulling center of balance assembly toward the rear of the vehicle while tightening the bolts in 3 steps to 36 ft-lbs (12, 24, 36), starting with center bolts and then opposite corners then other pair of opposite corners to 12, then repeat for all bolts at 24 then 36.

Recheck and adjust backlash as above if necessary.

Reinstall oil strainer and pan.