1999 Ford Ranger Harmonic Balancer Removal Fix

1999 FORD RANGER
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JAEROQUE
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  • 1 POST
I am replacing the timing belt on a 99 ranger and I can not get the harmonic balancer off. I have a standard and it is in gear the motor is a 2.5, 4 cyl. I have tried to bind the motor but no luck. Is the bolt on the balancer right hand or left hand threaded? How might I bind the motor in order to break the bolt loose without causeing damage to the mototr? Any response will be greatly appreciated.
Sep 22, 2006 at 4:01 AM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 320 POSTS
you will need a good break over bar 1/2 in will do and fairly long. the bolt comes out counterclockwise. crank the motor and see which way it turns. if the pulley turns to the right, put the socket on and lay the bar on the right side of frame and hit the key and crank the engine lt it take it loose for you lay a towel over it so it don't damage the radiator or beter yet pull it out of your way it will be easier for you to get the harmonic blancer puller on if the radiator is not there. if the pully turns the other way the put the bar under the opisite frame just don't get hurt be safe this system does work.(NOS) 8)
Oct 8, 2018 at 1:54 PM
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JOEY40949
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im working on 1996 ford ranger 2.3 needing to replace timing belt i have removed bolt holding crankshaft pulley but pulley wont come off there is no bolt hose to use a harmonic balancer puller how can i remove it?
May 29, 2020 at 5:35 AM (Merged)
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BUTCH SHULL
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Hello,

Here is a video that shows how to remove a harmonic balancer, different car but the procedure is the same. If there are no holes you we need a three jaw puller. Also some will slide off with a little force.

https://youtu.be/NZIMNkLxCMA

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

May 29, 2020 at 5:35 AM (Merged)
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CONVERSE
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How in the world does the harmonic balancer come off. Is there a ford only puller to remove this balancer?
May 29, 2020 at 5:35 AM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Once you remove the bolts, you should be able to use a universal type puller. Nothing special is needed.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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FISHER BOY
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on a 1996 ford ranger with a2.3l engine, I need to pull the harmonic balancer. I have the bolt lose but when I go place the web foot puller inplace I notice only two machined bolt holes about an inch and half apart instead of the three at 90 degrees or two at 180 degrees. Im lost on how to pull the this the proper way. I thought about the jaws puller but didnt wont to hurt the rubber dampening ring or damage any . Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you
from Texas.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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FISHER BOY
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Ill answer my own ?. ended up using a two jaw puller and grabed of the front lip on the serpintine pully although the book said not too.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,380 POSTS
If you got it off evenly that is what matters. So, I would have heal off using the puller too as I would make sure it would be the correct type. However, getting the bolt out is usually the hard part and some pullers only have one or two holes as the crank pulley does not need much to pull it off.
Also, not damaging the rubber was a good call.
I apologize you did not get a response until now.
I hope this helps and we are trying to get used to a new layout for the web site. So, I hope you will return in the future as responses are generally up within a day. However, there are are a lot of growing pains with the new site layout and we are trying our best to provide the quick responses that we always strive to provide.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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JAMES1971
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how did u get the crank bolt out
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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JAMES1971
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I cant get the crank bolt out how do u get it out
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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  • 924 POSTS
The only thing i can tell you is get a good impact or breaker bar on it to get it loose.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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DEAN DUKE
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what type of puller is used for removal and how is it used
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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BLACKOP555
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 10,386 POSTS
it is called a harmonic damper puller. This video will show you how


https://youtu.be/NZIMNkLxCMA

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
May 29, 2020 at 5:36 AM (Merged)
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MICHAL
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Even bumping the motor with a tool on the crank shaft is not safe. To many variables to getting hurt or tearing something up. Just my thoughts.
Nov 17, 2025 at 1:13 AM

Suggested Repair

The crank bolt loosens counterclockwise. Use a long 1/2-inch breaker bar or a good impact to break it loose rather than bumping the starter with a bar on the crank. After the bolt is out, use a harmonic damper or universal puller; a three-jaw puller may be needed if there are no threaded holes. Pull evenly and avoid damaging the rubber damper ring.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Ford Ranger 2.5 could not remove the harmonic balancer bolt while replacing the timing belt and asked about thread direction and how to hold the engine. An expert said the bolt comes out counterclockwise and suggested a long breaker bar, including a starter-bump method, which another poster later called unsafe. Later posts about a 1996 Ranger 2.3 said to use an impact or breaker bar, then a harmonic damper, universal, or jaw puller, pulling evenly without damaging the rubber ring.

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