Chipped Harmonic Balancer During 100,000km Service

[jrm]

So during a routine 100,000km service to change the timing belt (amongst other things), when using a harmonic balancer puller, the balancer hit the ground and took two small chips out of it - not too much to worry about I thought - but the more I think about it the more I worry about this putting the engine out of balance.

The car seems to run fine, no real difference to the feel of it from before/after, so should I be worried? Is it worth sourcing another R34 harmonic balancer and getting it swapped over? I've done a search and I've seen a mix of responses. It seems fairly common to happen, and seems like if it's really beaten up worth replacing otherwise 'meh'. But I figure it's worth posting a newer thread to gauge peoples thoughts...

So - given the time/effort involved - would you change it?

[bluey33]

It is hard to say without any of us seeing the damage (pics) though you should be right.

Just make sure there isn't excessive movement, the 'chips' don't foul on the belt and the bolt is up real tight.

You don't want a key way letting go or a belt.

[Galois]

If you're looking to get a new one, kudos has them

http://www.kudosmotorsports.com/catalog/ad...amp;x=0&y=0

Hope it works out mate

[Kinks]

Similar thing happened to mine except it was shonky mechanics at work and I didn't notice for about 10-15k after the service. I decided to err on the side of caution and replace it, it's expensive and a pain in the arse but balancers are tuned to fractions of a gram. It might not cause an immediate problem but vibration will fatigue metal over time. On a street driven car where the majority of time is spent around 3k rpm it's probably not a big issue but if your car regularly sees the upper end of the rev range then why risk it. A replacement balancer is cheaper than your oil pump failing and having to rebuild the motor - an unlikely event if it's a small chip but I like things on my car to be "right" not "she'll be right".

[Phat_Toni]

Thaught ide add to this thread instead starting a new one...

I baught an RB26 a few weeks back and noticed this today

should I be worried? I know how important these things are but im not sure how severe this chip is

Thanks Guys

[Piggaz]

Considering balancers are a wear item.... they don't last forever, just change it anyway.

[JonnoHR31]

that wont be a problem. every old RB i've ever seen has chips like that out of the balancer from people using claw pullers on them, its such a small amount it doesnt matter if your not building an all our race car

[Phat_Toni]

Thanks for the input guys, im going to keep in on there and see how I go.