98 sr5 4 runner. Just bought this and the harmonic pully was wobbling. So i decided to replace it. Noticed the bolt was loose holding it in. Cant get the new harmonic pully on. Old one is dammaged and so is the key. Can i repair this . Pics included.

 

I tried to pull the key out with needle nose plyers and no go

 

Looks to me, not an experienced mech by any stretch, that the balancer wasn't on all the way when they fired the engine up. The key backed part way out, and when they cranked the engine, the key was bent over, causing the damage to the balancer and crank shaft. I would say, if it were me, that unless you can get the key free of the crankshaft, that both the balancer and the crankshaft will need replacement.

Once again, jsut the opinion of a guy that's had the balancer off the crank of an 87 pickup and an 87 4Runner a few times. Thankfully, I've always gotten the key back in correctly before starting. I did have to replace the key once, when I dropped it during removal and couldn't find it again. Only time I ever replaced the key. I used the trick of putting some thick grease into the keyway to hold the key in place while installing the balancer. It worked like charm.

Pat☺

 

Remove the lower plastic cover to get a better look at things. If you mark belt/pulley relationships accurately, you should be able to pull the timing belt drive pulley to access the key.

If need be, I have a spare factory crank pulley/dampener. These are not technically harmonic balancers. Just did a full timing belt job on my '01.





Andreas