Harmonic Balancer

[Morrink]

I have a 1995 Ford Escort Wagon 4 cyl. and only has 37,000 miles.
Around 28,500 the power steering went out. I took it to the neighborhood mechanic who is very good and he said that the Harmonice Balancer has to be replaced. This is round pully like device that holds the power steering belts. Apparently as Ford installed the Balancer by compressing (Rubber to Rubber) into the engine.

He said he was suprised Ford has not had a recall. He said that should have found a more secure way to install this as this may happen again.

I have sent 2 letters to Ford but have not heard from them. The funny thing is I live in Chicago Illinois, Less then 1 mile from a Ford plant.

Maybe I should pay them a visit.

Has anyone else with a mid 90's Escort had this happen?

[jeffescortlx]

I have several second gen (91-96) crank pullys laying around my garage. Non of they have rubber to rubber section. I have never heard of any one needing to replace it.

[mightymoose_22]

the harmonic balancer is mounted with a woodruff key isn't it?
Why does your mechanic want to replace it? What about it is bad?

[Morrink]

Originally Posted by jeffescortlx

I have several second gen (91-96) crank pullys laying around my garage. Non of they have rubber to rubber section. I have never heard of any one needing to replace it.

Maybe it's not rubber to rubber as I am trying to remember his exact words.

The "Harmonic Balancer was sticking furthur out then it should have been.

He said its "pressed" in. He said he has seen a few Escorts and replaced them and non of those he replaced came back stating it re-occured.

Maybe I will be lucky and not have to worry about it again. I was just curious to see if other mid 90's ESCORT owners have had the same issue.

It aslo could be a group of Escorts made at a specific plant sent to the same area. (EX Firestone tires)

[jeffescortlx]

Here's a pic of the pully

[lawton_kid]

If you guys remember, I had a lot of harmonic balancer trouble with my son's 1995 Esky wagon with the 1.9L. But that one had 140+ miles on it.
The keyway on the balancer had worn and had moved over about 3 keyway widths. Drove us nuts for two months until we finally found it.



Had a similiar problem with a 1997 Esky with the 2.0L with 150K miles on it. On that one, the balancer was worn about 1/2 of a keyway width, but the keyway in the crankshaft was really tore up and the crank wasn't reusable, at least it wasn't worth redoing the engine. Just put in another good, used one.

I would post pictures, but don't know how to post them right in the post like Jeff did. How do you do that, Jeff?

lawton_kid

[jeffescortlx]

Originally Posted by lawton_kid

I would post pictures, but don't know how to post them right in the post like Jeff did. How do you do that, Jeff?

While your making the post click on the little box that has a picture of mountains on it, than put your link in the box that pop's up.

Yes I remember the trouble you went through.

My one Escort has 140k, so far I have'nt had any trouble with the pully.

[urban off-roader]

I had a 1993 LX. I don't remember how but somehow the pulley got damaged and I had to replace it because it was eating belts. The guy at the local parts shop had one in stock. I don't think it was very expensive and the whole process was quick.

[lawton_kid]

Thanks Jeff,
Kid

[raallison]

I have a 97 escort. The balancer seperated on it too. Cost me $90.00 plus tax. I have a 91 escort but its balancer has not seperated although it is constructed the same way.

-Rick-

[lethermeat]

i had my balencer seperate @90,000. $40 for a junkyard one and it is all good

[panzees36]

Same on my 93,Of course it had way over 100k at the time.Got one from junk yard.That was 5 years ago.

[Morrink]

Me again with the same 97 Ford Escort. Besides replacing the Harmonic balancer, I had to replace the console shift cable, and now the Horm pad is pad The car only has 55,547 miles. When the car had about 40,000 miles a few summers ago I tried to turn on the Air conditioning --- no cold air. I found out there was a hole in the Air Conditioning hose to the compressor under the car. This was a special order part from the dealer. I am wondering if anyone in this forum has had similiar issues.

[butch100]

The crank pully is definatly not "pressed" in, hope your mech. isin't
trying to run some BS on you. The pully has to come off to change
the timeing belt, it's held on the crankshaft by a keyway and a
large bolt to tourqe it to the crankshaft. I've seen on these forums
a post about someone who's pully was worn at the keyway and
resulted in a retarted timeing situaition. More than likely that was
caused by someone not tourqeing the bolt to the 90 lbs it needs
to be.

[JoeStangV604]

I live in michigan, 20 mins from ford World Headquarters want me to deliver it personally lol