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Crankshaft pulley: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace crankshaft pulley

Manufacturers do not specify regularity of crankshaft pulley replacement. The part is replaced at delamination or thermal damages of the damping rubber layer, and because of fastening elements destruction or loosening or the pulley fastening to the crankshaft. A new component is required in case if the old one got deformed or grooves for the drive belt worn out.

Often unqualified repair of the engine leads to defect of the crankshaft pulley. Improper repair procedure may lead to the fastenings loosening. Damping layer of the part is damaged because of improper car exploitation, which leads to excessive heating and vibrations of the engine. Also, ingress of motor oil and severe environmental conditions affect negatively the pulley damper. Moreover, the crankshaft pulley can be deformed or damaged as a result of a road accident.

Defectiveness of the car part can be detected by hearing of drive belt whistling. In some cases, vibrations can be noticeable in the passenger compartment. In addition, breakage of the crankshaft pulley often leads to accelerated wear-out of the timing belt, which is fraught with engine operation failures.

It is recommended to perform replacement of the component at a car service station. It is a quite laborious procedure, during performance of which you need to avoid contact of the part with motor oil and other liquids. Moreover, in order to unscrew the pulley fastening bolt in most cases you will need a special screw remover. It is better to use new fastening elements for mounting of the component. Also, you need to replace the drive belt together with the crankshaft pulley, if necessary.

How to select crankshaft pulley

According to the construction the parts are divided into two types: solid (milled) and harmonic (dampened). As a rule, the solid pulleys are produced of cast iron or steel, while the dampened – of iron, steel and aluminum. The harmonic components are presented by two parts (a hub and a crown) and a rubber ring, which connects them. Such construction is considered wear-resistant, as allows to reduce vibrations, appearing at rotation of the crankshaft and promoting wear of the part.

Longevity of the components greatly depends on their manufacturers. High-quality crankshaft pulleys are presented in the assortment of Dayco, Febi Bilstein, Japanparts, SNR, Swag and other famous brands.

Pay attention to the fact that manufacturers produce various crankshaft pulleys: for the timing belt (toothed) and for the alternator belt (V-belt and poly V-belt). Also there are combined components on the market, which consist of toothed and V-belt (or poly V-belt) pulleys.

Outer and inner diameters, height and width have significant importance for proper installation of the part. In addition, during purchasing of the toothed pulley you need to consider quantity and size of its teeth, as well as the distance between them. And choosing the V-belt, take grooves parameters into account.

Also the pulleys differ by type of fastening to the crankshaft. There are parts, which are mounted with the help of a central bolt and pin, and the components which are screwed with a few bolts.