ron350 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 I need to remove the harmonic balancer on my 96 Regal with a 3800II motor. The problem is there is only about 2 inches between the face of the balancer and the frame. The factory service manual shows using a special balancer puller Kent-Moore J38197 with no other instructions. Has any one ever removed a balancer from a 96 3800II w-body or used a J38197. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 I've always used a generic balancer puller with some metric hardware, though I now forget the exact specs it needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) Pull the passengers wheel and remove the flap-o-crap and you have a lot more room to work on it. The bolts are 1/4" 28P thread. Like Chris said, a 3 slot balancer puller. I think mine is an OEM from AZ Edited March 17, 2016 by Imp558 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Oh, and consider flipping for a crank sensor while it's off unless that's the reason you're doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 That picture above is missing parts fwiw. That tool is much like other balancer removers, just more compact. It's missing the large center screw and the other hardware that should be included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted March 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 There was no problem using a normal balancer puller. Used three ¼ inch 28 thread bolts 2-1/2 inch long the balancer was not on that tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padgett Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 BTW the ring beyond the bolts on the balancers I have is rubber. A three jaw may pull it apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 I've done a couple of them and they weren't bad either. My bolts have been used 3 times now so I want to get new ones before I do it again. Just thinking how bad it would suck for a fatigued bolt to break off in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Imp558 I purchased the grade –8 bolts at ACE hardware @ .65 cents each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Mine are 10.5, still safer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Do you mean the bolt head has 10.5 stamped on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Yep. Probably suck to drill a broken bolt out from way in there, especially hardened. That's why I expected only to use them a few times. Irrational I know but hardened bolts are more brittle so it seems prudent. I should get grade 8 next, Probably never see 10.5 in that size anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron350 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 You need to use the correct ¼ x 28 threaded bolt and not the 6mm x 1.0 that is recommend on lots of GM forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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