Do I really need to replace my harmonic balancer? (Poor College Student)

[OrienteeringPro]

This seems to be the smartest toyota place on the web, so I figured someone here would be able to help.

I recently took my '94 toyota pickup in for a free winter checkup, I moved from Texas to Utah, and the cold has been making her sound funny. I had to get the alternator belt replaced on my way up here, but now a few months later the guy at the local auto place wants $850 to replace my entire harmonic balancer. She runs, but I have some videos and pics below that show what the real problem is.




http://www.youtube.com/user/Orientee.../0/qSCZ-X6DKEo
Here's what it looks like when it's running, you can see that the belt is sliding around.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Orientee.../1/5frDAfdIOJE
This is a view from underneath, you can see that it's easily moved by hand.
I inherited this truck from my grandpa (rest in peace) and so I'm afraid I don't know much about it. If anyone could tell me anything about what is involved here, I would appreciate it. I plan on calling around to local auto places, probably Japanese Auto shops, to try and get a price I can afford. I simply don't have the $850 to fix it right now.

Once again, I'm sorry for being so ignorant, and I would appreciate any comments from anyone. Feel free to call me noob or make fun as much as you'd like

[Raffaelli]

Jeez! Thats downright wierd you got there.

Harmonic balancers about 75-120. Think you can do it yourself? What tools do you have? Any buddies where you moved who know how to wrench?

Autozone can lend you the puller. Yanking the radiator is a good idea. Id say a 2-3 hour job for a compleate novice with the right tools.

[fourwd1]

Umm, which engine? 4 cyl or 6 cyl

[OrienteeringPro]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments.
I'm unfortunately away at college, and so I don't have any tools with me other than a leatherman. The truck is a 4 cyl.

[89Truk]

Even buying your own tools, borrowing the puller from AZone, and buying your own harmonic balancer will save you about 600 clams. Since you will be removing the radiator, new toyota red coolant should be part of your expenses.
If you have no interest in getting your hands dirty and are worried you will mess something up, it may be worth it to tack the $850 onto your student loans somehow and just get it taken care of.

[ed_]

I have the same issue on my pickup. The third pulley wobbles when I start the truck, then calms down quickly. I can move it by hand ( just a bit ) when I'm on the ground looking at the three pulley set. From the looks of the Harmonic Balancer on some online part stores, it only has the first two pulleys. I'm wondering if the third pulley might only need to be reset on a new sleeve. Can anyone explain how the third pulley is attached. I'm going to get back into it tomorrow or Thursday as of right now, its pouring rain outside.

Also, Do you recommend AutoZone? I have been burned by the Pep Boys and when I drive by the AutoZone, I can't stop thinking its another Pep Boys. I usually go with the local NAPA store or I buy via the telephone from Underdahl Toyota. Over the years its part dept has saved me a bunch of times. Regarding AutoZone.... so they will lend you the pulley remover? that's great news.

Thanks in advance.

[ed_]

I finally got under the truck today to get a better look at this. The harmonic balancers that I see for purchase (online) are two pulleys, as I mentioned above. I'm now quite certain that the front pulley is bolted to the back two. So my guess is that the harmonic balancer will replace the back two pulleys and I can either buy a new front pulley or just re-bolt the old front pulley into place. I will order the parts this week and get to repairing it. It will definitely need to pull the radiator to get the clearance for the impact gun in there to remove the bolt the attaches the pulley to the crank. Make sense? Thanks.

[ed_]

After draining and removing the rad, the job was done in about 2 hours. The impact gun was a must have. Also, if you have the 3rd pulley, as I did, just buy a replacement for it. I saved a few bucks without it, but it was tough to get the old pulley off the old balancer. I also tighten the belts a 2nd time, after driving the truck for a while.

[89Truk]

Originally Posted by ed_

After draining and removing the rad, the job was done in about 2 hours. The impact gun was a must have. Also, if you have the 3rd pulley, as I did, just buy a replacement for it. I saved a few bucks without it, but it was tough to get the old pulley off the old balancer. I also tighten the belts a 2nd time, after driving the truck for a while.

Glad to hear everything worked out! Maybe you can lend some tools to OrienteeringPro for the job?

And to both of you, to Toyota Nation!