97 Bonneville Crankshaft pulley/bearing??

I need some help and or advise.

For the last month or so I've heard a shuddering noise coming from the passengers side of the engine compartment while my car is running. Today i was driving and my serpentine belt began to shred. I got the car home shut it down before the belt came totally apart preventing any other damage to the engine. I put a new belt on tonight and immediatly noticed that the belt will not stay properly intact on the crankshaft pulley. It looks like the pulley is wobbling a bit causing the belt to slide to the inside where it rubs against the engine block and would begin to shred again within a few minutes. Since the bolt on the pulley itself is extremely tight I would assume that it's the bearings inside that are the problem. If i were to make this repair myself, what tools would I need and what would the general process be. I'm trying to figure out if this is something that I can do myself or if I should have AAA tow it in and pay a price gauging repair shop. I have quite a bit of mechanical skill and general knowledge but fairly limited tools since I no longer live near home and therefore cannot access "Dad's toolbox." Any info you csan provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

You didn't say what engine you have but this can be a common problem. To remove the harmonic balancer and pulley you will need an impact wrench and a puller. The hardest part will be getting to the bolt itself. I would go to a wrecking yard and pick up another balancer and pulley. Go to a parts store or dealer and purchase a new crank bolt. Once you have the parts then do the removal and reassembly. This bolt tends to be extremely tight and it will take quite a bit to get it off. If you don't have access to an impact gun then I would take it to a mechanic to have it done. As for the belt issue go ahead and replace the belt tensioner too as it may be losing tension due to the constant movement caused by the crank pulley.

It's the 3800 series II naturally aspirated engine. Thanks for the tips, that helps a lot.


You didn't say what engine you have but this can be a common problem. To remove the harmonic balancer and pulley you will need an impact wrench and a puller. The hardest part will be getting to the bolt itself. I would go to a wrecking yard and pick up another balancer and pulley. Go to a parts store or dealer and purchase a new crank bolt. Once you have the parts then do the removal and reassembly. This bolt tends to be extremely tight and it will take quite a bit to get it off. If you don't have access to an impact gun then I would take it to a mechanic to have it done. As for the belt issue go ahead and replace the belt tensioner too as it may be losing tension due to the constant movement caused by the crank pulley.