Going to do the chain idlers and need the balance puller. Rent or buy a cheapy? Any leads on a purchase? Stacey

 

if you're a JCNA member - they offer a tool loaner program

 

Most auto parts stores will rent you one, such as Autozone or NAPA.

 

I've done this job several times (not for reasons I'm proud of, lol) and that damn balancer really is the most challenging part of the job...

Removal of fans,,, rad if you like to make things easier,,, should happen.

I could be wrong but I think the bolts you will need are M8s 1.00 (hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong)... I use a puller like this... NOTE the thick arms of the puller. The pull is heavy and common pullers of this shape tend to bend under the force. Use hardened bolts and if you get the sense that the bolt holes in the Damper are stripping, STOP and reevaluate... If the bolts begin to bend, stop and reapproach with new bolts...



The claw or armed types will not work. From what I remember, because of the timing chain cover, the arms and hooks cannot get around to the back of the balancer for a grip.

Clean out the bolt holes in the balancer before you do anything... Run the bolts in first without tool in place,,, but be VERY careful about running them in tooooo far!!!! They will poke right thru what is a very brittle TCCover... Ask me how I know. Also, don't pry against the TCCover. You will curse and swear and start using strange body language.

Get a good large strap type pipe wrench/tool (with canvas or thick nylon - placing eadythe serp belt under it for GRIP) and be ready to experiment and finagle until you have figured out a method for using it well to LOCK the balancer on removal and replacement of the balancer bolt... Hi torq bolt here 200 + ftlbs... I used the water pump as a brace for the strap tool on removal and replacement... I'm cheap and didn't buy the lock tool - and probably shouldn't... It's not a good way for several reasons.

Yup. The balancer is the toughest part (to me) of the tensioner job... Then,,, the VVT if it gets out of sync...

Best of luck to you, Brother!

Come back with questions concerns and results!

 

I bought a knockoff of the correct tool from a machining shop on ebay.

My assistant and I didn't have long enough bars to break the bolt loose by arm strength alone.

I grabbed my battery powered impact gun and got it on the nut and it spun it out so fast the bolt tried to take off across the garage floor. ( I had to remove the radiator to get the gun in there though )


Moral of the story, If you use a strong enough impact you won't even need to secure the pulley. If you do find you need to secure the pulley a strap wrench is likely enough friction to get the job done.

 

Got mine on eBay also. Worked well. https://www.ebay.com/itm/37286550879...item56d08425be

 

This was the original kit that I bought. https://www.ebay.com/itm/37286550879...item56d08425be
It never got delivered and I had to submit, and lose, an ebay case over it never being delivered.
Eventually had to do a fraud protection request with my credit card to get the money back.

This is the one that eventually got to my doorstep.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-and-...53.m2749.l2649

 

Hmm. It's not coming to me. Are there four or two holes in the dampner face???

 

There are two.

 

The tool I bought was from the seller "bracketracer" from the eBay site https://www.ebay.com/itm/37286550879...item56d08425be. I had no issues with the sale whatsoever and the tool worked properly.
It's a shame that you had an issue with your purchase but my experience was completely satisfactory.

 

Yes, I purchased from the same ebay user. The problem was most likely the shipping company used, but when i reported the problem to bracketracer they concluded that since they had the money, and delivered the item to the shipping company that it wasn't their problem.