[GT speeder13]

I got them used from someone here on the forum and they were on my car almost 2 years. The other day I blew a fuse for my headlights, and popped the hood. My car was still running, and I noticed that the Harmonic Balancing pulley was wobbling a decent amount. I dont know when it started, but it didn't look good. I brought it to my friends house so we could all take a look at it.

his dad who is a mechanic and brother who rebuilds engines and just about anything on a car both recommended that I not drive any further with a pulley that wobbled at idle. We tested it at 2500rpms and the pulley balances out at that rpm, but at idle they said could do damage. It is the rubber ring around the center of the pulley that is peeling and flaking away.

I dont know what could have caused it, but I called Steeda 3 times and finally just had to order a whole new set of UDP's. There customer service isnt the best, as the guy was accusing me of not knowing how to install the pulleys and saying I was wrong from not buying them new... Whatever.

Has anyone ever heard of a harmonic balaner pulley going bad from an aftermarket place?

oh and my car is out of commision until sunday! :happyhapp

 

[smokeshow]

It is the rubber ring around the center of the pulley that is peeling and flaking away.:happyhapp

I don't think that's a rubber ring, if it's the part I'm thinking of. If it's around the inside of the one the goes on the crankshaft, it's the gasket sealant from the last install, which prevents oil from leaking.

I'd say try pulling that pulley off, de-gunking it, and applying new gasket sealant, and reinstalling it. A good install guide is here:

2005 Mustang GT Underdrive Pulley Installation

And, on an unrelated note, when the instructions say "disconnect the battery", they mean it. I didn't do that, and the engine threw a check engine light until I disconnected the battery for half an hour. It hasn't come back since.

 

[Brent05redfire]

My Steeda UDP failed on me some time back. I didn't find out until the serpentine belt was ejected. leaving me stranded and waiting for a tow truck.

upon inspection, the balancer was backing away from the block. Got the pulley off, and the dampener portion of the pulley was seperating from the hub of the pulley.

I put my stockers back on and called it a day. but, I forgot to take pictures when I told AFM about my experience. I guess I need to do that and maybe we can compare scenarios.

 

[stlwagon]

Harmonic balancers can fail so it's not unheard of.

 

[Brent05redfire]

did you re-use the original crank bolt? I did, and I can't help but wonder if that caused my failure. the Steeda instructions say it is okay to reuse, and I had no problem torquing the original bolt.

 

[stlwagon]

did you re-use the original crank bolt? I did, and I can't help but wonder if that caused my failure. the Steeda instructions say it is okay to reuse, and I had no problem torquing the original bolt.

If the bolt started backing out that certainly could have contributed to it.

 

[GT speeder13]

If the bolt started backing out that certainly could have contributed to it.

I used a new crank bolt from ford, and it was torqued down to spec and we used sealant and blue loc-tight when we originally installed the pulley. funny thing about the pulley is that it is still torqued down and the bolt spins perfect, but the outside of the pulley wobbles, not the center

 

[stlwagon]

I used a new crank bolt from ford, and it was torqued down to spec and we used sealant and blue loc-tight when we originally installed the pulley. funny thing about the pulley is that it is still torqued down and the bolt spins perfect, but the outside of the pulley wobbles, not the center

Sounds to me like you just got a bad pulley!

 

[GT speeder13]

sounds that way to me too... 3 more days without a car! Im currently driving my girlfriends 01 concorde, its a girlish purple.

I cant wait to be driving my mustang again!!!!:bigthumbsup

 

[stlwagon]

Im currently driving my girlfriends 01 concorde, its a girlish purple.

Too much information! :happyhapp

 

[Brent05redfire]

Im currently driving my girlfriends 01 concorde, its a girlish purple.

we are gonna have to revoke your man card until you get your stang back.

 

[Bocephus357]

That sucks dude. Lucky for me, I just ordered a used set of Steeda UDPs from a guy on another forum. :so You guys think I need to worry?

 

[stlwagon]

That sucks dude. Lucky for me, I just ordered a used set of Steeda UDPs from a guy on another forum. :so You guys think I need to worry?

Inspect them good before you install them. Check for any cracks in the rubber.

 

[Beagle1]

Most UDPs are not correctly tuned for Crankshaft torsions IMO. And I built and tested the original 4.6L dampers years ago, they are not one size fits all. Crank dampers have a hard life, especially when you start adding more power.

If the rubber is poor quality or not the proper durometer, there is going to be issues. Removing mass from the ring and still using the same type of rubber will work the rubber harder.

I could go on with what if's for hours. But I know I wouldn't play with any pulley that is not OEM or no proof of testing with torsional data.

A properly tuned damper should go 100,000+ miles without issues.

 

[a_manifestation]

I am wondering if they were damaged when they were removed.

Think about it like this. If you have an 'inside hub' then a rubber ring outside that, then an 'outer hub', then a pulley remover that is the claw type could damage it. The center is stuck to the crank, and the puller is pulling out on the outer ring, it is not going to be even. I guess that is why they suggest that Chrysler pulley puller be used on our cars. It grabs from the inside instead of the outside.

Just a thought.

 

[Beagle1]

I am wondering if they were damaged when they were removed.

Think about it like this. If you have an 'inside hub' then a rubber ring outside that, then an 'outer hub', then a pulley remover that is the claw type could damage it. The center is stuck to the crank, and the puller is pulling out on the outer ring, it is not going to be even. I guess that is why they suggest that Chrysler pulley puller be used on our cars. It grabs from the inside instead of the outside.

Just a thought.

If someone is pulling their crankshaft damper by the ring, then they really need to have someone else work on their car :nono: And please don't install it with a hammer. Use an installer tool. These tools have been created for a reason.

Also, don't be cheap. GET A NEW BOLT. Torque to yield is one time use. I recommend the ARP bolt and then you can reuse it.

 

[stlwagon]

Chrysler pullers and installers work best on these cars.

 

[STU]

You just had a failure. Rare but happens. I had a stock one blow apart on a road course with my 94 Cobra. Around 40,000 miles I think. Wore a hole through the timing chain cover before I got it stopped.

 

[Thereaper]

I'll check mine. Again.

 

[GT speeder13]

ok, I was attempting to install the new pulley today... I went to rent a 3 jaw puller like I did last-time I installed my pulley, however the steeda pulley is much smaller and a 3 jaw puller doesnt fit.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to take the pulley off. The normal harmonic balancer removal kits dont have bolts that match up to the steeda holes. actually 2 out of the 3 holes are different sizes!?!

Im really confused and need help bad