Crankshaft Pulley?

Hav One

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I have an 04 Viper and was told I need to replace my Dampner/Balancer because it was wobbling. Is that the same piece as the Crankshaft Pulley? I am getting a little confused on all the different terms used
around. I have inspected the nut on it and there is no give to it, very tight. Is this common with the gen. 3's? Do I just need to replace and pin this part? I was quoted a price for a replacement dampner for $540 but have found most to be around $240 is that normal or are people marking things up too much? I really appreciate the help, lot to learn but loving it while I am!!

Thanks! :)
 

Sonoman

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The crankshaft pulley is a separate part from the crankshaft damper (pulley bolts to the front of the damper). The pulley is the cheaper part so if it is somehow damaged it would be the part to replace before messing with the damper. A good site to check for parts prices for your Viper is moparonlineparts. It turns out many dealers take MSRP and add 15-20%, while the online warehouses generally subtract 10-20% off MSRP, so the difference can be quite large!
 

Viper Specialty

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The Harmonic Balancer [dampener] is press fit and bolted to the front of the crankshaft, the pulley is bolted to the front of the balancer. They are NOT the same item. You need a balancer, not a pulley. If yours is loose and wobbling, you need to check your crankshaft to confirm it is not damaged, and then make sure a non-damaged balancer is installed, and is still a press-fit on the crank. It should not slide right on. If it is damaged, you may need to replace or repair your crankshaft. This is an extremely common issue with 04's, and I have dealt with it more times than I have cared to.

On that note, you are crazy to pay the price for a new OEM balancer- you can get an aftermarket one that is 10x better for about the same price as the POS Mopar part. Or get a used Mopar one for a lot less.

If the crank is good, use a Paxton Pin Kit and Red Locktite to prevent it from happening again.

If the crank is damaged, make sure you have the new or repaired crank keyed to prevent this from ever happening again.
 
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Hav One

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Thanks for all the information guys! Come to find out, the bolt on the crankshaft was loose, like 50 ft-lbs loose. I tightened it back up to spec and now all the wobble is gone and everything is great. All that is left is for me to get it
pinned.
 

Viper Specialty

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DO NOT DO THAT.

Just because the bolt is tight doesn't mean anything! The damper and crank are PRESS FIT. If the press fit is worn [and is surely is if it wobbled], the damper will spin, loosen the bolt, and the damper will come off again, further damaging the crank.

FIX IT RIGHT before you cost yourself a crankshaft and engine rebuild.

Ugh..I really wish someone would make this topic a sticky- it is all too common, and the people who know about fixing it correctly are the only people who don't get asked or listened to!
 
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Hav One

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Ok, well I guess I must thoroughly be confused. When I took the car to the specialist, when they said the balancer needed to be replaced, what they showed me wobbling by just
viewing from above the engine was the crank pulley. I guess I need to get a second opinion and keep watch of if it begins to wobble again. Final GTS, I appreciate your knowledge and will definitely look into it!!
 

Fatboy 18

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I posted these pics up on another thread but they might help you :)

here are some pics of when I changed out my pulleys on my Gen2 They might give you a better idea of what to look for :)
The end of the crankshaft
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I did not like the asthetic look of the old crankshaft damper, so I rubbed it down with Emery paper and sprayed it with Hammerite smooth gloss black paint.
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You can see the damper in this pic (behind Dave's Big Brakes under drive pulley)
Note also the new water pump pulley and idler wheel.
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The harmonic ballencer has to go on square, its also big torque numbers to tighten that nut, you need a six sided 31mm socket, you need to put the car in reverse and get someone to push on the brakes too. You should use loctite on the bolt and torque it to 340 Nm - 250 Ft Lbs BIG NUMBERS!

See here
http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/...ft+damper+bolt

This is what you Need :)
http://www.roeracing.com/ProductCar...c-Damper-For-All-92-to-06-Engines-207p481.htm

And this
http://www.roeracing.com/ProductCart/pc/Crankshaft-Pin-Tool-ALL-Vipers-SRT-10-Ram-Trucks-p74.htm
 

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