Crankshaft pulley

[LittleGiant]

I noticed a decent amount of vibration and rubbing/grinding at about 60 mph and up. Plus it idles rough all of a sudden. I checked and saw that the pulley-tensioner was flopping around like crazy. (Easy fix) then I noticed the crankshaft pulley was wobbling like crazy.

I’m going to replace the tensioner and the crankshaft at the same time. However, has anyone heard about damaging internal parts when pulling the crankshaft pulley out of a 4.0 automatic? I saw a video on YouTube where a guy was talking about pulling spark plug #2 inserting rope to help hold off the heads. Seems crazy.

Thoughts?

 

[JKP]

No idea what he's talking about.

You need a puller to get the crank pulley off. You may or may not have to pull the radiator depending on how long the puller is. After removing the crank bolt, be sure to remove the washer under it before you put the puller on it.

 

[JKP]

Ok, as soon as I hit post, it occurred to me that he's using the rope in the cylinder to hold the engine still while removing the crank bolt since it's an auto. With a manual, the trans will hold the engine still.

If you have an impact wrench, it will zip the bolt out. If not, the engine's going to try to turn on the auto.

 

[LittleGiant]

Ok, as soon as I hit post, it occurred to me that he's using the rope in the cylinder to hold the engine still while removing the crank bolt since it's an auto. With a manual, the trans will hold the engine still.

If you have an impact wrench, it will zip the bolt out. If not, the engine's going to try to turn on the auto.

And if I don’t have an impact wrench?

 

[JKP]

I think there is a tool to hold the flex plate teeth for the starter.

 

[macleanflood]

I've used something like this to hold pulleys...used to use it all the time on Toyota timing belt jobs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q1KPDP2/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Impact wrench is the way to go.

HF has a sale on their Bauers ATM.

-Mac

 

[GregBelleville]

And if I don’t have an impact wrench?

When I removed mine I believe I wedged a screw driver into the pulley to hold it still while I used a ratchet to loosen the crankshaft bolt.

 

[LittleGiant]

I was able to get the main bolt off. Currently using the pulling tool but I’m about to have a hernia trying to top it off.

Any ideas why it’s so hard?

 

[GregBelleville]

I was able to get the main bolt off. Currently using the pulling tool but I’m about to have a hernia trying to top it off.

Any ideas why it’s so hard?

How about a picture of the puller on your pulley?

 

[LittleGiant]

I just took it off. I’ll put it back on and take a pic. It was pulling back so hard on the 3 bolts it was bending them backwards. I couldn’t turn the wrench anymore. It’s crazy

 

[LittleGiant]

Funny part is the repair manual says that a puller shouldn’t be needed! Ha!

 

[JKP]

Did you remove the washer?

 

[LittleGiant]

This is going to sound really stupid, but oh well...

What washer? haha.

After removing the main center bolt I see what looks like a large rubber bushing in the middle. I don't see a washer. I'll have to look first thing in the morning. As of now I just drowned it in PB Blaster a few hours ago and again just now. I plan on having that set in and do it's job over night. I'll report back in the morning.

I true heartfelt thank you to everyone for their assistance. Collectively we will figure this out and I'll buy everyone a virtual beer once it's done.

 

[JKP]

This one. Almost guaranteed you had the puller on the washer. See post 2. You could have broken the damper if you had kept on. And then you have a real mess.

 

[LittleGiant]

Good god don't say that.

What's the damper?

 

[JKP]

The crank pulley is a damper, note that there is rubber in between the outer pulley and inner structure to damp out vibrations. Some people call them harmonic balancers, but on an inline 6, which is internally balanced, there aren't any harmonics to balance as there are on a V8, etc.

 

[LittleGiant]

Ok. So update. I’m an idiot. I was about to go to bed but that was driving me nuts so I went into the garage to check it out. Sure enough that damper pulled right off.

I then used the pulled to get the balancer off and it came off like butter

 

[LittleGiant]

Well I’m officially over it. Put everything back on and I have coolant leaking from behind the harmonic balancer. I’m 99% I have it on all the way.

Just called a tow truck and having it towed a Jeep mechanic.

 

[GregBelleville]

Well I’m officially over it. Put everything back on and I have coolant leaking from behind the harmonic balancer. I’m 99% I have it on all the way.

Just called a tow truck and having it towed a Jeep mechanic.

Oof, sorry to hear that, give us an update once you find out why and where the coolant was leaking! Did you remove the radiator to pull the pulley off?

 

[JKP]

Well I’m officially over it. Put everything back on and I have coolant leaking from behind the harmonic balancer. I’m 99% I have it on all the way.

Just called a tow truck and having it towed a Jeep mechanic.

There is nothing but oil behind the balancer seal.

The coolant is coming from the water pump or the thermostat housing and running down the block.