Harmonic balancer install DIY

robnitro · 03-21-2019, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dlci

Buy the fluidamper the stock units are junk.

Fluid dampr has its own issues like needing a better alternator pulley. Stock corteco or bmw is fine. I think fluidampr did a half job for the m57, nothing like the ones they made for Cummins etc...

335dlci · 03-21-2019, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnitro

Fluid dampr has its own issues like needing a better alternator pulley. Stock corteco or bmw is fine. I think fluidampr did a half job for the m57, nothing like the ones they made for Cummins etc...

Since I have posted this. A lot has changed Haha. So yeah stick with stock.

Persian Whisperjet · 03-22-2019, 05:50 AM

I'm at 51K on my Febi/Bilstein unit with no problems.

robnitro · 03-22-2019, 05:56 AM

Was yours really a corteco/oem in disguise with the markings etched off? That's how my febin/bilstein was from fcp.

Persian Whisperjet · 03-22-2019, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnitro

Was yours really a corteco/oem in disguise with the markings etched off? That's how my febin/bilstein was from fcp.

Hard to know who's doing what to whom in the parts world, but my experience has been positive and the cost was around $200.

Castomere · 03-29-2019, 11:41 AM

So I have a BMW E90 that is making squeaky noise. The mechanic suggested I change my vibration damper. The original was too expensive, so I bought a cheap Chinese replacement. It was a bit heavier than the original. Then when it was installed. The sound went back to normal. After around 4 days, there was a squeaky and loud rough noise. Upon having it checked by 2 mechanics, they said it was the belt tensioner. The first mechanic proved it to me by using a wrench and tightening the system. So I bought a tensioner and had it replaced. Now there's another sound. It's very different from the sounds before. I had it checked again and the compressor needs replacing soon. The mechanic told me that I should just wait for it to die, and that the compressor wouldn't affect the engine, only the AC.

I was wondering. Did the heavy vibration damper cause this?

Or did the other parts start dying down because of the tension from the stronger newly replaced vibration damper?

335dlci · 03-29-2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castomere

So I have a BMW E90 that is making squeaky noise. The mechanic suggested I change my vibration damper. The original was too expensive, so I bought a cheap Chinese replacement. It was a bit heavier than the original. Then when it was installed. The sound went back to normal. After around 4 days, there was a squeaky and loud rough noise. Upon having it checked by 2 mechanics, they said it was the belt tensioner. The first mechanic proved it to me by using a wrench and tightening the system. So I bought a tensioner and had it replaced. Now there's another sound. It's very different from the sounds before. I had it checked again and the compressor needs replacing soon. The mechanic told me that I should just wait for it to die, and that the compressor wouldn't affect the engine, only the AC.

I was wondering. Did the heavy vibration damper cause this?

Or did the other parts start dying down because of the tension from the stronger newly replaced vibration damper?

So did you do belts? No mention.

robnitro · 03-29-2019, 02:02 PM

I'd do the ac belt if it's frayed because when it goes it can take out your serp belt. It happened to me last year.

Mik325tds · 03-30-2019, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kozlio

Hmm i bought a cheap hb from rock auto. Manufacturer is Rein with part made in China. My mechanic says "i don't trust it". Sounds like i might have wasted $200 thinking id save that much in the process...

I used the Rein HB on my X5. No issues so far.

Castomere · 04-02-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dlci

So did you do belts? No mention.

No, it hasn't arrived yet but I will install it next week.

Castomere · 04-02-2019, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnitro

I'd do the ac belt if it's frayed because when it goes it can take out your serp belt. It happened to me last year.

Hello, my VIN is PS42621. I believe it has no AC Belt? Because when I ordered the AC Belt, I was told it only had a serpentine belt and that the other belt was the power steering belt.

Persian Whisperjet · 05-10-2019, 06:59 AM

I'm getting a very subdued chirp when I first start the car. HB Was replaced 60K ago with a Febi unit. Any idea what I'm hearing?

Mik325tds · 05-10-2019, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castomere

Hello, my VIN is PS42621. I believe it has no AC Belt? Because when I ordered the AC Belt, I was told it only had a serpentine belt and that the other belt was the power steering belt.

That info seems to be correct. Look here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...BMW-320d&mg=11

Mik325tds · 05-10-2019, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

I'm getting a very subdued chirp when I first start the car. HB Was replaced 60K ago with a Febi unit. Any idea what I'm hearing?

That'll be very hard to find as there are many parts that can produce chirps. Does it sound mechanical or more and air produced chirp?
On my X5, one of the pulleys started to go bad and I noticed it was chirping when cold. Try spraying some water on the belt. If the pulley stops turning, take the belt off and examine for play or hard to turn.

Thecastle · 05-11-2019, 08:57 AM

Did they use the correct sized a/c belt? There was a recall on A/C belts and BMW went to a smaller size to correct a chirp on startup. The easy test would be to start the car with the A/C off to see if the chrip goes away.

its also possible some of the idler pullies are bad as well. I replaced all of them, along with the tensioner when I did my harmonic balancer.

RL18 · 05-19-2019, 08:01 AM

I just did my HB after it crapped out on me while I was returning something at napa. Went with the FAI Automotive HB. Also did the clutched alternator pulley, water pump, thermostat, and both belts. Thank goodness for this diy

335dlci · 05-19-2019, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thecastle

Did they use the correct sized a/c belt? There was a recall on A/C belts and BMW went to a smaller size to correct a chirp on startup. The easy test would be to start the car with the A/C off to see if the chrip goes away.

its also possible some of the idler pullies are bad as well. I replaced all of them, along with the tensioner when I did my harmonic balancer.

It was a bulletin not a recall. Two different things.

Persian Whisperjet · 05-22-2019, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik325tds

On my X5, one of the pulleys started to go bad and I noticed it was chirping when cold. Try spraying some water on the belt. If the pulley stops turning, take the belt off and examine for play or hard to turn.

Mik325 thanks will try that.

dextersl · 07-12-2019, 12:42 PM

So the last time I posted in this thread, I deduced that the cause of the squeak/squeals I was hearing was caused by the belts because I could hear the noise regardless of whether or not the AC was on. I replaced the belts and pulleys, but did not mess with the tensioner and the squeaks/squeals went away. I made sure to inspect the HB while I was in there and below are pictures of what it looked like at the time. My 335d had 123K miles on it when I took those pictures in August 2017. But in retrospect, those pictures looked similar to what Mik325tds posted earlier on in the thread, so probably should have replaced it back then!

dextersl · 07-12-2019, 12:43 PM

Forgot to mention, my HB failure happened this week at 167K miles!

dextersl · 07-12-2019, 10:19 PM

Hey Mik325tds, I just finished the install of the new HB this evening and just want to say a big thanks for this write up you provided!

Mik325tds · 07-17-2019, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dextersl

Hey Mik325tds, I just finished the install of the new HB this evening and just want to say a big thanks for this write up you provided!

You're welcome. I'm glad it is helpful.

03-22-2019, 05:50 AM	#91
Persian Whisperjet Kind of a Big Deal 171 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Washington, D.C. iTrader: (0)	I'm at 51K on my Febi/Bilstein unit with no problems. __________________
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03-22-2019, 05:56 AM	#92
robnitro Captain 166 Rep 805 Posts Drives: x5 35d e70 2011 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: NYC area iTrader: (0)	Was yours really a corteco/oem in disguise with the markings etched off? That's how my febin/bilstein was from fcp.
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03-29-2019, 11:41 AM	#94
Castomere New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E90 320D Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Philippines iTrader: (0)	So I have a BMW E90 that is making squeaky noise. The mechanic suggested I change my vibration damper. The original was too expensive, so I bought a cheap Chinese replacement. It was a bit heavier than the original. Then when it was installed. The sound went back to normal. After around 4 days, there was a squeaky and loud rough noise. Upon having it checked by 2 mechanics, they said it was the belt tensioner. The first mechanic proved it to me by using a wrench and tightening the system. So I bought a tensioner and had it replaced. Now there's another sound. It's very different from the sounds before. I had it checked again and the compressor needs replacing soon. The mechanic told me that I should just wait for it to die, and that the compressor wouldn't affect the engine, only the AC. I was wondering. Did the heavy vibration damper cause this? Or did the other parts start dying down because of the tension from the stronger newly replaced vibration damper?
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03-29-2019, 02:02 PM	#96
robnitro Captain 166 Rep 805 Posts Drives: x5 35d e70 2011 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: NYC area iTrader: (0)	I'd do the ac belt if it's frayed because when it goes it can take out your serp belt. It happened to me last year.
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05-10-2019, 06:59 AM	#100
Persian Whisperjet Kind of a Big Deal 171 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Washington, D.C. iTrader: (0)	I'm getting a very subdued chirp when I first start the car. HB Was replaced 60K ago with a Febi unit. Any idea what I'm hearing? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2019, 08:57 AM	#103
Thecastle Major 370 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2022 G30 M550i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M550i [0.00] 2020 BMW M340i [0.00] 2019 RAM 3500 [0.00] 2000 Ford F450 7.3l ... [0.00]	Did they use the correct sized a/c belt? There was a recall on A/C belts and BMW went to a smaller size to correct a chirp on startup. The easy test would be to start the car with the A/C off to see if the chrip goes away. its also possible some of the idler pullies are bad as well. I replaced all of them, along with the tensioner when I did my harmonic balancer.
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05-19-2019, 08:01 AM	#104
RL18 Major 349 Rep 1,106 Posts Drives: 2011 335d sport Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Maine iTrader: (0)	I just did my HB after it crapped out on me while I was returning something at napa. Went with the FAI Automotive HB. Also did the clutched alternator pulley, water pump, thermostat, and both belts. Thank goodness for this diy Attached Images __________________ 2011 335d tuned by B.R.R. 2011 X5 35d tuned by B.R.R.
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07-12-2019, 12:42 PM	#107
dextersl Enlisted Member 9 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 335d MSport Le-Mans Blue Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	So the last time I posted in this thread, I deduced that the cause of the squeak/squeals I was hearing was caused by the belts because I could hear the noise regardless of whether or not the AC was on. I replaced the belts and pulleys, but did not mess with the tensioner and the squeaks/squeals went away. I made sure to inspect the HB while I was in there and below are pictures of what it looked like at the time. My 335d had 123K miles on it when I took those pictures in August 2017. But in retrospect, those pictures looked similar to what Mik325tds posted earlier on in the thread, so probably should have replaced it back then! Attached Images Last edited by dextersl; 07-12-2019 at 01:18 PM..
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07-12-2019, 12:43 PM	#108
dextersl Enlisted Member 9 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 335d MSport Le-Mans Blue Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Forgot to mention, my HB failure happened this week at 167K miles! Attached Images Last edited by dextersl; 07-12-2019 at 01:21 PM..
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07-12-2019, 10:19 PM	#109
dextersl Enlisted Member 9 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 335d MSport Le-Mans Blue Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Hey Mik325tds, I just finished the install of the new HB this evening and just want to say a big thanks for this write up you provided!
	Appreciate 2 Mik325tds808.00 Persian Whisperjet170.50 Quote