So I'm new to domestics and I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, 3.1 liter. I went to replace the serpentine belt and noticed the crank pulley seems to have moved out of alignment with the other pulleys by half an inch. I tried to tighten the main bolt--first clockwise then counterclockwise (thought maybe it was reversed threaded) and nothing happened. I had the car for a year and never had a problem till the belt broke rescently (probably the misalignment). How do I fix this problem? The pulley doesn't seem to be wobly, but I don't have a clue on this one--please help....
Crank Pulley Moved?
- Thread starter dwallace
- Start date
If you mean balancer as the thing the pulley is surrounding then yes. It seems only the pulley has moved out and exposed some very shiny metal. Did the pulley break off from the balancer. It's the 3.1 so there is only one main bolt that i can feel down there plus the two holes for the crank pulley holder. I've never seen a crank pulley float. The balancer (thing the pulley surrounds) is flush with the block--no gap.
Update: Crank Pulley Moved?
Why does GM make everything so d*** complicated? Alright, so I found out what happened. Apparently, the crank pulley is a two peice design--not including the harmonic balancer. There is the outer part (where the belt touches) and a inner part (like a tire and wheel). The only thing keeping these two peices locked together is a very tight fiting rubber seal. When this seal runs a little loose (say 10 years later) the outer piece of the pulley can slide off of the inner peice--ultimately destroy the serpentine belt and almost flying off of the engine block. So I just needed a new crank pulley in the end--just have to get the inner crank pulley off--using redneck engineering to do this since all the auto parts stores around me don't carry a bolt on crank pulley puller--stupid harmonic balancer won't let me use a standard claw type puller--LOL!!!
Why does GM make everything so d*** complicated? Alright, so I found out what happened. Apparently, the crank pulley is a two peice design--not including the harmonic balancer. There is the outer part (where the belt touches) and a inner part (like a tire and wheel). The only thing keeping these two peices locked together is a very tight fiting rubber seal. When this seal runs a little loose (say 10 years later) the outer piece of the pulley can slide off of the inner peice--ultimately destroy the serpentine belt and almost flying off of the engine block. So I just needed a new crank pulley in the end--just have to get the inner crank pulley off--using redneck engineering to do this since all the auto parts stores around me don't carry a bolt on crank pulley puller--stupid harmonic balancer won't let me use a standard claw type puller--LOL!!!
Im having this exact same problem on my 2002 grand prix, Can you tell me what exactly I need to do to fix this problem? Is it that I just need a new Crank Pulley? Because I cant seem to find a crank pully anywhere, only pulleys people are selling are A/c, PowerSteering, and belt tension pulleys. I'm just a tad bit lost. 
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Thanks for any and all help with this.
:th_wtf:Thanks for any and all help with this.
Hope you have figured this out, but if not: I had the exact same thing happen on my daughter's 2000 Grand Prix (outside portion of balancer separated from the inner portion, belt was not on: Dad, why is it so hard to steer? Ha.) O'Reilly Auto Parts sold me a harmonic balance (crankshaft balancer) for $65, and rented a puller for same. Pull off right wheel, unscrew the splash guard. Use a breaker bar to loosen the center bolt (I had to install 2 of the puller bolts, then wedge a large box wrench between them and the frame to get leverage on the breaker bar), then use the puller to extract the harmonic balancer. Maybe 3-4 hour job if you are half-handy with tools, hardest part was getting the bolt off!
Thanks so much for your reply. Thats why I couldnt find a crank pully, its the harmonic balancer lol. Well atleast now I know what part I need to replace. I have got the center bolt off, just need to go get a puller from the parts store when I buy a new balancer. Thanks a ton for your help!
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