How do you tell if harmonic balancer is bad and how do you get it off? Looks to me like cutting hole in the fender well would be easiest.

 

If there is not a removable "door" on the inner fender , then the inner fender is usually loosened and moved off to the side or removed altogether.
I suppose you could cut a hole in the inner fender , but it should be recovered to keep trash and water from getting in there.

 

No, it doesn't help to butcher the car, as there is a good deal of frame right about where you're talking.
This problem was a classic Tempoism.
The balancer would either cause a loud noise or a really bad vibration, usually both.
The cure is to replace it. If you removed the front engine mount bolts, lift the eng. slightly, and using a couple of pry bars, you can usually get it off.
And yes, they really are a pain to do. But then again, it's worse becuase the enginge is problably leaking a lot of oil.

 

Thanks hanky and greasemark for the info. I had the balancer replaced several years ago by a supposedly good mechanic . Turned out to be the water pump instead, so I am kind of reluctant to do anything until I am absolutely sure which one it is. I have checked the water pump and bearing is still good and tight and no water leak. So I am suspecting the noise to be the balancer . May drive it a little longer and keep a close check on it but will be careful with it.

 

Hey there everyone..
This is Fredrick and i am a newbie out here.
So hoping to have a great time up here at this community.

 

Hi Fredrickmay, welcome to the site.
We usually do have a good time on here.

 

Thanks for the welcome..
I myself am looking forward to the same.