Harmonic balancer on DII, do I need it?

[yubert]

Just wondering if anyone has removed the harmonic balance weight on the rear differential. If so, how did that affect the drive line performance?

I'm planning to install a rear diff guard, shown in photo 3. The diff guard bolts on to the two holes at the bottom of the differential (photo #2), which holds the harmonic balance weight shown in the first photo.

I could reattach the harmonic balance weight but then I'd have to get new/longer bolts. I've read mixed opinions on if the harmonic balance weight is needed or not in other forums but I don't know if those sources can be trusted.

 

[DiscoveryXD]

I noticed a difference (small, but noticeable) when I tore mine off a few years ago. It won't matter if you take it off, but they do actually work! Go for a little drive and see for yourself.

 

[EricG]

I'm not so sure my 03 still has one those holes look framilier, I'll need to crawl up under it tomarrow.

 

[ntsqd]

My Rule of Thumb for such things is this:
An Engineer designed it, but he or she had a good enough reason to need it that a penny-pinching (necessarily so) Cost Accountant approved it.

With that in mind you need to decide of what ever the vehicle does without the part is something that you can live with.

 

[Hank]

Lots of people ditch them and never look back.

Some people find a way to keep them.

Do what you feel is right.

 

[revor]

If it hangs down, ditch it if it is out of the way why worry.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I installed the same guard, and retained the mount using the existing bolts. They do need to be replaced with some longer ones, however. I believe they are some wacky thread pitch, which is why I haven't yet. IIRC, they are like a 10x1.25 or something, standard metric is 10x1 or 1x1.5.

NTSQD is very correct in his statement. Some engineer was able to show that they were necessary enough for the target market to get past the penny pinching accountants, so they must do something. You just need to determine for yourself if that something is important enough to you.

 

[traveltoad]

They are on an '03 Disco. And no you don't need them. But you will have increased vibes without it. How much will the vibes increase? Go drive it and see.

The bolts are a funky thread pitch.

 

[Brian McVickers]

In installed the same QT Diff Guard on my 2001 DII.
I also kept the balancer. I can't remember if I used stock bolts or if the QT guard came with new bolts, either way it was a non issue.

The hardest part was laying under the diff with that heavy balancer sitting on my chest while I fiddled with the bolts, wrench and guard.

I would keep it if possible.

Brian

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I didn't really understand why the QT guard came with a new set of bolts, which... IIRC, were actually *shorter* than the stock ones. I ended up re-using the stock ones. I'm guessing some trucks had no balancer, and thus not bolts? Regardless, we should probably figure out what length of bolt to get for full thread engagement.

I also remember having lots of fun lying under there trying to get all the bolts in. Good times.

 

[Hank]

I also remember having lots of fun lying under there trying to get all the bolts in. Good times.

Wait until you have to remove the guard for some reason, then go to re-install it after it's taken a few licks.

...that's why I like a weld on.

 

[FortyMileDesert]

If you can feel an increase in vibration with the harmonic balancer removed; I would bet that you are reducing the life of your rotoflex.

Carry a spare Rotoflex and associated hardware. You can get them at DAP Inc for about $80.00 :coffeedrink:

 

[traveltoad]

If you can feel an increase in vibration with the harmonic balancer removed; I would bet that you are reducing the life of your rotoflex.

Carry a spare Rotoflex and associated hardware. You can get them at DAP Inc for about $80.00 :coffeedrink:

Or just get rid of the roto.