While working on my 96 accord,Vtec,,I noticed the harmonic balancer is looking really old...has alot of cracks in the rubber and alot of rust.

I have replaced them on numerous GM cars,but never a Honda.

How do you get it off besides removing the center bolt?Does it need a puller? Im just asking for future reference.Its on my list to do items over the next few months.

Also,I was looking at the accessory drive belts off the balancer and etc.Is there a tensioner type bolt or pulley one uses to take up the slack when replacing the belts?I could not see one.

Thanks for any info!

 

The crank bolt and the accessory belts are all you need to remove to take off the harmonic balance pulley.

I will warn you that crank bolt is a major PIA to remove. Just search the threads on here for suggestions to loosen that. You have to remove the pulley to get to the timing belts.

There is no tension pulley. The alternator and the power steering pump can swivel, so you can tighten or loosen each belt using the adjusting bolt.

 

Once you get that major PITA bolt loose, the pulley itself has always come off pretty easy. There's a long square key that engages the outside pulley as well as the sprockets for the timing belts. Don't loose that key. If you're not doing a timing belt, you should probably push the key back in place as you slide the outer pulley off the crankshaft. That way it won't disengage from the sprockets inside the timing cover.

 

I would buy a Honda crank pulley removal tool from Amazon. Best $25 I ever spent! The tool will hold the crankshaft/pulley in place while you remove the bolt holding it.

EDIT: We aren't supposed to post links on here. Google search Powerbuilt 648796 Honda Crankcase Pulley Removal Tool

(I added a $0.34 spark plug to get over $25 for free shipping.)

 

Thanks for the info! I bookmarked the tool as well.I can imagine the main bolt is tough to get off,I had problems loosening them on other cars.PITA,they always feel like they have 900ft lbs of torque holding it in!!!