Harmonic Balancer (I think) fell off

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Hey crew - I started up my 4Runner today and almost immediately heard a weird sound like the fan was hitting something.

I turned it off and saw this chunk of metal sitting down at the bottom of the fan. I had to look it up and I'm pretty sure it's the harmonic balancer.

Anyone have any idea how effed I am? Is it possible to put a new one on? I've done a lot of work to this truck so I'm okay with getting my hands dirty.

Lastly, would I be okay to start it and move it back like 5 feet? It's now blocking my entire driveway.

 

[T4R2014]

I had mine come apart the same way. Assuming loose rubber debris is cleared out you should be able to move it. OEM isn't cheap but there is a Memorial day sale on the horizon. Otherwise I'd look for a used low mileage one. I used a Dorman one once too. Wasn't bad but just looked cheaper than an OEM and rusted fast. Can't say I'd expect it to last long.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

Thanks. I've been reading more and found a thread where a member said he drove it for years without that thing.

Does that align with your experience - i.e. very little/no negative effect?

Harmonic Balance Bore Material

 

[2TH4IST]

If you balancer let go, I'm surprised your accessorie belts are still attached. No, I would fix it asap. Go oem, it lasted this long. Yeah it will cost more but it will last longer.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

If you balancer let go, I'm surprised your accessorie belts are still attached. No, I would fix it asap. Go oem, it lasted this long. Yeah it will cost more but it will last longer.

The pulley is still attached and the crank bolt is firmly in place. It seems that just the interior metal donut that's stuck to the pulley with a rubber seal is what came out.

Another guy on here said he drove his for years like that...so I'm debating if it's even needed at all. The aftermarket crank pulleys don't even have them at all.

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

ran it today, here's a short video https://imgur.com/2zcLmSU

 

[T4R2014]

Oh it is needed. It may have been coming apart for a while and you're just used to the harmonics. That's how my situation was. It got smoother at higher RPMs.

 

[2TH4IST]

It's needed, very needed. I just looked at rock auto, and all the aftermarket ones have the middle rubber piece. That rubber holds the outer belt pulleys to the inner crank mounting. It helps dampen harmonics as the 5vz doesn't have a balance shaft. Its usually not recommended to run a non-dampening crank pulley.

 

[davidch]

This Australian video may give you a good line to use when folks ask what happened to your harmonic balancer.