harmonic balancer--95 3800 series 11
 

95 Bonneville 3800 series 11----How difficult to replace a harmonic balancer?
What service manual would have the correct procedures?

I asume you have a non-supercharged car. Please put your year and model in your signature.

Chilton's #28200 would be the best aftermarket manual, but the Factory Service Manuals from www.helminc.com are the best if you have the budget. Chilton's should run you about $15.

You'll get dirty, but it's not too bad.

I replaced mine. :D It's not that bad. you can access it through the ps. wheel well after you take the wheel and cover off. Your gonna need a specific harmonic balancer tool and a torque wrench. You should also consider getting another crank bolt since it's a torque to yield bolt.
The toughest part is getting the crank to stay still while you loosen/tighten the crank bolt. Maybe someone else could chime in on how to do that?? I used a couple small bolts on the balancer and a strong closed end wrench :? . I also used the wrong puller tool so sorry i can't help you out with that one.
Gool luck.

HB change
 

I've got a '95 SSEI and I just changed my harmonic balancer. I just used and inpact to get the bolt off, which was the easy part. To tighten the bolt I had a helper put a very large screwdriver in a flywheel tooth( I think you can rent a tool so its a one person job). Then I torqued the bolt to the spec in chiltons, cant remember what. At the time I didnt think of getting a new bolt, might be a good idea.
ctj

I wound up doin it and cost myself some cash from being inexperienced. I was changing a crank position sensor that sits behind the balancer. Everything went fine taking it off. I used a 1/2 torque wrench and I believe like a 22mm or larger socket and a puller with 3 long after market bolts as the factory puller bolts were too short I think. Anyway my problem was when I put the balncer back on I broke the woodruff key and didn't realize it until the car was back together and it didn't start. this after puttin abt 230lbs or torque on the nut. 1/2 of the woodruf key was in the crankshaft slot and the other part was unfound I think. I was all over the city at machine shops etc trying to get a replacement part and some advise. No one was able to help so I finally got a new key from dealer but I couldn't get the crankshaft slot clear of the broken key. It got to a point I had to tow it in to a good shop. Luckily they were able to get it out by taking off timing cover etc.. So I got them to install a new water pump, timing chain, since this area was already uncovered new antifreeze. It wind up costing me $1100 in parts and labor. They told me if they couldn't get that key out I would be lookin at another engine.

OMG :shock: That's terrible. Sorry to hear that man.

This was about a yr ago. Just a big learning experience for nect time if there is one