tgillespie

My 4Runner took a dump today. I noticed some belt noise while driving to work today. Once there, I popped the hood to find my harmonic balancer and crank bolt practically sitting there. The key is trashed.

Whats the fix for this? I've read about the loctite fixes, but I really hate rigging stuff together. Would the harmonic balancer need replaced if it appears fine?

A new crank bolt, key and the correct torque should do the trick? Also, any luck at doing this by just removing cooling fan?

mt_goat

No way can we help with the damage assessment without good pics. Hopefully your crank shaft isn't too trashed to reuse.

More info: http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/012007_04.html

Quote from link above:

217 ft-lbs is the correct torque spec for the crank bolt on the 5VZFE, not the 184 spec mentioned in some places.

tgillespie

The crank snout looks and feels fine. The key is the only damaged part. $1.25 from Toyota.

Would you strongly recommend replacing the crank bolt? Threads are fine. Harmonic balancer is fine.

Slide a new key in and torque at 217 lbs?

mt_goat

I really think it would be in your best interest to post up some pics of the key-ways. The first time I saw one that had this problem it was so wallowed out I thought it was suppose to be that way.

For example: does this one look ok to you or not?

dimitri

I would!!! Mine looked fine too. (After it came off)...but I decided to replace it anyway
When you try to thread them back on finger tight you'll feel the difference between the old and the new.

As for the harmonic balancer "looking" fine...make sure it has no play when you put it back on. depending on how long it was being banged around before the bolt came of, it might be worn in a conical way even if you can't see it.