Can I change the harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) without special tools? It is wobbling pretty bad and causing very loud belt squeak.

Hello. It seems that belt tensioner is either 'weak' or the serpentine belt is not turning 'true'. Also, if the harmonic balancer is NOT 'fully' seated on the crankshaft, the belt will turn not 'true'. Usually if the belt tensioner if not strong, it will make a 'squeaking' sound. Good luck and keep me informed; if you want to.

There is one bolt in center of pulley/harmonic balancer. Sounds like the harmonic balancer has started going bad..if bolt in center of pulley is loose...which is fairly uncommon tighten which you just tighten Iike any other bolt. If it is tight then you will need the replacement. Replacement is a good bit more involved. Radiator has to be removed, special tool, harmonic balancer pulley remover is required..it will remove pulley. Then you line up pulley with keyway..tap on with rubber hammer until pulley is on far enough for bolt to be started..tighten the bolt and it pulls the pulley all the way into place.

Did the crankshaft pulley separate from the harmonic balancer? No bolts missing? This happens once in a while. Just replace the harmonic balancer assembly (and probably the belt).

Hi, assuming you have the 2.5 liter engine, your damper is integral to the pulley assembly as shown in the second figure below, so there is only one part involved. You can see an example of the part here: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Harmonic-Balancer/1999-Chrysler-Cirrus/_/N-jddk1Z93y2h?counter=0&itemIdentifier=917091_0_0_
If you look carefully at the pic below, you can see the rubber torus inside the pulley. The rubber is what fails and causes the pulley to wobble. You may need to borrow a puller to get the pulley off.

2.5L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Disconnect battery negative cable from remote negative terminal on shock tower and properly isolate to prevent accidental reconnection.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Belt splash shield Accessory drive belts. Refer to Belts. Crankshaft center bolt and remove crankshaft damper.
   
   
   

   Fig. Splash shield removal-2.5L engine
   
   
   
   

   Fig. Crank damper and bolt- 2.5L engine
   

To install:

1. Clean crankshaft snout and crankshaft damper bore.
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   Crankshaft damper. Crankshaft bolt and torque to 143 ft. lbs. (182 Nm) Accessory drive belts. Refer to Belts. Belt splash shield

You need a harmonic balance. Very common problem!

Is this a V6 or 4cyl???>>>(V6) This requires removing the Harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley). Remove (R) front wheel, remove engine splash Guard, Remove crank pulley, remove lower timing belt cover. The Crank sensor is located behind the crank shaft pulley!! I highly recommend having this done by a certified tech, requires special tools. Hopefully this helps!!

usually all crankshaft sensors are located right next to the main drive pulley (Harmonic balancer). As far as being easy is concerned some are not so easy as some require the removal of the harmonic balancer to get to it.. but you might be lucky Gm is pretty good at making the Crankshaft sensor accessible without removing the harmonic balancer.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

1. Serpentine belt from the crankshaft pulley.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
3. Right front tire and wheel assembly.
4. Right inner fender access cover.
5. Using a 28 mm socket, remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt.
6. Crankshaft harmonic balancer using tool J 38192 or equivalent.
7. Sensor electrical connector.
8. Foreign object deflector.
9. Sensor and pedestal from block face.
10. Sensor from pedestal.

INSTALL OR CONNECT:

1. Loosely install the crankshaft sensor on the pedestal.
2. Position the sensor with pedestal attached on special Tool J 37089.
3. Position the special tool on the crankshaft.
4. Bolts to hold the pedestal to the block face, torque to 20-40 Nm (14-28 lb.ft).
5. Torque the pedestal pinch bolt to 3-4 Nm (38-40 lb.in).
6. Remove special tool J 37089.
7. Place the special tool 37089 on the harmonic balancer and turn. If any vane of the harmonic balancer touches the tool, replace the balancer assembly.
8. Balancer on the crankshaft.

• Apply thread sealer (GM 1052080) or equivalent to the threads of the balancer bolt.

1. Torque the crankshaft bolt to 140 Nm + 56°(104 lb.ft + 56°).
2. Foreign object deflector.
3. Electrical connector.
4. Inner fender shield.
5. Tire and wheel assembly, torque to 140 Nm (104 lb.ft).
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Serpentine belt.

The key way has probably wallowed out. Replace the harmonic balance pulley.

Crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) removal- disconnect neg battery cable, remove belts, it would be a good idea to soak the bolt w/ penetrating oil overnight, there is a special 'crankshaft pulley holding tool' available to secure the pulley while removing and installing the bolt. Some parts stores loan tools for free if u purchase parts from them, I don't know if this is available, but it would be worth checking out. Attach holding tool and remove bolt securing pulley. Carefully remove pulley from crankshaft, Do NOT pry off. Remove key from crankshaft sprocket,
Install: install key on crankshaft sprocket, slide pulley on, apply clean oil to bolt threads but NOT to washer contact surfaces, secure crankshaft w/ holding tool, tighten to 159 ft lbs (91-93 Accord), install belts, re-attach neg cable.