Replacing harmonic balancer Jeep Cherokee 1999 (xj) Plus Removing Crank Bolt

[@hectoracedo2868]

Thanks for the video. I had no $$$ for a Pro Mechanic repair so I used your video as my DIY guide. This truly saved me when I was in hard times with my Jeep.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

That's great to hear thanks for letting me know! I was saved by a lot of videos so I decided to make one here and there, in case it helps somebody along the way.

[@L0x0r]

Thank you for the video. The wire hanger made getting the bolt on and off a lot easier.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great! Hope you are up and running again.

[@lonepeakgeek]

This video was very helpful, dude. I did your trick with the coat hanger to keep the pulley from turning. I was skeptical that it would hold, but it worked great. I was worried that removing the harmonic balancer would have to be done from the top, requiring me to remove the fan, the radiator, etc. This method worked good for me on a 2000 Cherokee, 4l, straight 6 with 205,000 miles.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Awesome! Glad it helped and you got it done.

[@eriswerks]

Thanks for this. I did this job today, mostly by following your video. I used a coat hanger to hold the pulley still while loosening the bolt and while putting the new one on. That worked well, but anyone who wants to try it should make sure it's very secure around the sway bar.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad it worked out!

[@johnmooney3084]

That clothes hanger saved my life mate thank you! I actually used two separate hangers and it did the trick.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

That's great to hear! You are the first one to verify that it worked for them also. I was not comfortable with the bump start method that I read about.

[@brianfriedman6001]

This video gives me the courage and guidance I needed to fix my problem (squeaking, followed by belt). I could not get the new belt to stay on and This should do it. I'll get back to you after next weekend when I'll have the dry weather and time to effect repairs.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Good luck but you'll figure it out! Also check the pulley.

[@first6982]

Thank you. I had the fan hit the crank pulley too and the belt would wander off the alternator. Figured my idler pulley was bad, no dice. Noticed the crank pulley wobble ever so slightly. Went to google and found your video. Haven’t done the job yet, but this video certainly put me at ease about doing it.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

That is exactly what I thought was happening and I bought the idler pulley first. Ended up replacing both.

[@Marathon13240]

Bro holy shit thank you so much, followed every method except my kit from orileys had the little head for the puller. My crank pulley failed on my 98 ZJ 4.0 and I had to remove the fan,shroud, radiator core support, and I had to move the radiator just to get that stupid thing off. You're a life saver man thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

You are very welcome! I'm glad it worked out. I am also glad that my daughter wrecked our ZJ because I had a lot of work to do on it and it was a bit more difficult to work on certain things as you mention.

[@deadspeed6679]

You sir are a CHAMP I was about to pull the whole front end off 💀

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Wow thanks! Glad it helped you not have to do that.

[@armandopaz2599]

The further the video goes, the more you sound like Heath Ledgers Joker. Great video man! Lots of great info, and moments. My favorite is, "I don't know, guess it sounds normal. " 👍

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@1elpasoman]

just what I needed to see thank you very much...now time to do the exact same thing replace the harmonic balancer on 99 jeep!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great! I hope it all goes smoothly!

[@elbtrek]

OK, at first I was a bit skeptical about the clothes hanger, BUT, IT WORKED!!!! Super video and very well presented. Thanks, be well and safe.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great to hear! Thanks

[@reddyuda]

Thanks for the video man, I need to change my timing chain and was worried that I would need to pull the AC Condensor, Radiator, Bumper, etc to get enough room to use a harmonic balancer puller. Don't have much time for wrenching these days, relieved to see that there is enough room to work, plus I have a manual trans, so no automatic trans line in the way.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

You're welcome reddyuda. Glad it helped!

[@powerbuoy]

Thank you for the vid. I will tackle this soon. Someone mentioned instead of the hanger, put the socket on with a long extension and carefully tap the key for a crank ... Not sure if that's a good suggestion. Great vid!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks. Yes people do that. I did not want to do that in case I got things backwards.

[@cdogg1787]

I'm going to try and use a chain wrench to hold the pulley, but I like the coat hanger idea.

[@davidlandes2386]

Your coat hanger idea helped this grumpy old guy.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad to hear it! I'm grumpy with age too it's awesome.

[@willisross8734]

Helpful video. I didn’t have a coat hanger, so I used a ratchet strap instead and that worked!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad it helped! I'm running out of old-style coat hangers too.

[@hanginwithj]

Worked for me too! 🙌

[@MrRola98]

Thanks for the hanger trick. You're a genius👌

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Ha! Thanks!

[@Krabinator79]

Doing mine now and used the breaker bar locked against the frame and bump the starter (pull the coil wire so it cant start) a couple times after you soak the crank bolt in wd40. Worked well. Still risky but an option if you're limited. *97 zj limited 4.0*

[@glennsmith8662]

Coat hangers are very helpful and very helpful video thanks.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

They are! Glad it was helpful.

[@brandonpriest3604]

Thx Man.... I was trying to beat it back on with a soft blow hammer. Negative ghost rider

[@mjh7879]

Thank you for all the info in this video! I've got the same problem on a 98 ZJ. Had to remove radiator to use the puller. ZJ's have a taller radiator up and down then the XJ for some odd reason.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks. I had a 98 ZJ LTD up until a month ago. Daughter totaled it! Never had to do this job on it.

[@patmclaughlin7394]

I used to wire hanger as well awesome call on that. Another possible route would be a big fat zip tie ,If you got it.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

That's a good idea!

[@lilOzy]

coat hangars are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores. but also great video and thank you for the help

[@shawnsulliv]

Thanks man I’m about to do this job and this clarifies a lot of things for me!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great! Good luck!

[@Taketheride23]

Dude great video that coat hanger trick is awesome.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@KyleSVT]

Doing this job tomorrow thanks for the video!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Hope it goes smoothly!

[@KyleSVT]

@@MarkFerdinandAuthor It went great the wire around the sway bar and balancer did the trick! Thanks again

[@stevedenicola6507]

thank you for the video I'm about to replace my harmonic balancer on my 99 Jeep it seems to be wobbling and I pray it's not the main seal bearings I'm going to try this first your videos very helpful thank you I'll let you know how it goes

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Good luck! Not too bad of a job.

[@johnc.reedsr8001]

Thanks this was a great help in changing the pulley on my sons 96

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad it helped!

[@BigDaddyo13]

Thanks bro i got a zj. Some other dude did the same job a d made it look hard lol. Good job

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks. I have a ZJ also that my daughter drives.

[@onecoinjock]

coat hanger back to the party! love it. i used metal tie wire, just did mine. although i wasn't as smart as you, i replaced the alternator/water pump and tension pulley, and did a fan pulley delete with a shorter belt before i noticed the balancer.all chasing under hood seagulls lol.. bet she's about new right? good for another 5 years or so. no more seagulls under the hood. lol

[@TheFreezermonster]

Dude this is such a helpful video! Thank you!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Hogib35]

Great video.. I'm assuming mine is squeaking because of this, but I did also remove it and it was not chirping so I'm going for its too loose

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks. Mine was visibly moving out of alignment as I recall.

[@RMN1981]

Thanks man The Hanger trick worked like a charm.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great to hear!

[@Ssesshoumaru69]

A+ for your camera skills 👍

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Held the camera with my teeth in certain shots as i recall. thanks!

[@Ssesshoumaru69]

😂 Nice. What don't you do for us clueless people

[@GKLegend7]

Got alot of help from this video, thanks man!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great to hear!

[@kevinjermaine]

Lucky you, mine completely came off on its own lol.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

I believe mine would have if I waited any longer.

[@NoName-sn1le]

Mine did yesterday hahahaha

[@jorgevasquez-lz4be]

Great video thank so much for the information very clear subscribed!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@randybonner9870]

Wow, I'm glad I saw your video because this other dude had taken all his fans out and the radiator and all this other crap and made it look like an all-day next day job damn !! You didn't seem to have to take any of that stuff out? All you did was went straight for the harmonic balancer. Seemed pretty cut-and-dry to me. The other video I watched of this other fellow, I wasn't understanding why he was taking so much stuff off just to get you the harmonic balancer? Thanks and again I'm glad I watched your video instead of going with this other guys video

[@roostersofer5759]

I have a 98 Cherokee , the belt keeps coming off. It was because the crank pulls comes out about 3/4 " and I keep tapping it back towards the motor and put the belt back on.

[@G-GFactoryMade]

great effing video man! two best parts were the coat hanger trick and you grunting when torquing it down LOL. that's for making this video!!!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks G&G! Glad you liked it and hope it helped a bit.

[@sergiogonzalezvirgen2580]

Hello, greetings, your video helped me a lot. One question, the four holes in the pulley, what are they for? I ask because I have a Jeep grand Cherokee model 95 American 4.0 ohv engine

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Those holes allow access for pulley removal bolts.

[@halfassranch8363]

Good vid I just bought a 98 grand Cherokee and will be doing this hope i got a good deal

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

I had 98 Grand Cherokee up until a few months ago. Never had to do this job on it though.

[@halfassranch8363]

Did the job today on my 98 zj was gonna do the hanger but my house is apparently strictly plastic lol was able to wedge a screw driver to keep it from spinning, any way got er done in about 1 and a half hours. It was only a mild cock sucker.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Great!

[@mrhezavi7]

helpful! dont need to remove the radiator right?

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks! Nope not for me.

[@zeitGGeist]

thanks for the video! im thinking of buying a jeep that need this done to it and it looks doable.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

You're welcome! Yes it's very doable. Couple hours for me if I remember.

[@jaywyche416]

Great to know info,am about to replace mine ty.

[@ryanlembitz4684]

PNs for oreillys rentals are 67007 and 67006 if people are searching!

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks!

[@AaronThomas-k7p]

One person used a rope in the #2 cylinder piston at dead bottom center

[@BassHeadHD]

I cannot get the half inch adapter out of the new balancer

[@randybonner9870]

I've got a Jeep Cherokee sport 4.0 two-wheel drive. Am I right that you didn't have to pull the fans and loosen the radiator mounting bolts and all that crap?

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Correct. That was not necessary for me. Maybe the key was renting the puller from Oreilley's to pull it? I don't have anything else to compare my experience with but FYI mine was a 2wd also. Just try it. Good luck!

[@jcmoore5796]

Are you supposed to locktite the crank bolt?

[@roostersofer5759]

Great job on your video. Thank you.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thank you Rooster!

[@hunterroberts2832]

Mine did the same thing but it came completely of while I was driving

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Yikes!

[@jimmyschmidt14]

You're a genius👌

[@schmitice]

Answer this question, so the dealership issued a service bulletin on replacing the harmonic balancer, all new balancers are machines differently than the original one, don’t know why, but the dealership said you have to remove the oil slinger behind the timing chain cover, if you don’t, the pulley/harmonic balancer will not be lined up with the belt and you will eat drive belts up, and cause more damage… I’d like to know if this is true… I’ve compared my old balancer with the new one from Napa, there is a clear difference in height between mine and the new one… can anyone confirm this…

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

I am between XJ's so I am not up on this. Maybe someone else can say. I never had an issue with that.

[@Raynolasco9090]

What was it torque down to?

[@andyrodriguez414]

What I do to get the bolt off is use a breaker bar put it against the frame on the passenger side and crank the engine once. Comes lose instantly.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Thanks Andy. Yeah I was scared of doing that. Scared of doing it wrong and busting the bolt off.

[@robertgoodridge6978]

Helped out thanks

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

Glad to hear it!

[@illuaions]

What brand balancer to use?

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

I believe I bought the Dorman brand from O'reilley's.

[@lasagnajohn]

Thanks, I watched your video after I tried to unscrew that bolt and the pulley moved. I'll just have my wifey do this job for me on the Donkey and I'll watch and keep her feet warm. I have the new balancer and the puller but no installer or coat hanger. Tried to find coat hanger on Alibaba but they want to sell me like 25 at once, what is that about? Is okay, I go rob one from goodwill. Maybe pick up some hipster gear too. The belt only flies off if I splash thru a big puddle, should be fine plus the donkey doesn't know about breaking down. Books... just listen to BBC Connections, Cosmos, Civilization, and JAV while you play videogames.

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

All of this is nice.

[@mrktna]

easy way to get teh dampener bolt loose is to just put a breaker bar on it and bump the starter...

[@MarkFerdinandAuthor]

As mentioned this is the way to do it if you are nervous about doing it that way.

[@waynesanders1406]

Great engine'uity.

[@henrybucki7813]

seems like i took off my front bumper

[@lawrencejlormandjr6370]

Actually there’s an easier way of loosing the bolt. Figure out which way your puppy turns and then use a breaker bar and socket and turn over the engine and bam. Loosened up.