DIY Vibration Damper / Harmonic Balancer

xxxjecxxx · 08-22-2015, 07:35 PM

This is a tutorial and some general information on how to identify and replace a damaged vibration damper (BMW language) otherwise known as a harmonic balancer.

In this "before" video, you will see the vibration damper (VB) wobble and create an unpleasant sound.

I replaced part #1 in the attached diagram. It's function is to balance all of the internal components of the engine during operation. I will warn you that this part is on the expensive side. $487 directly from BMW with a discount.

YOU DO NOT LOOSEN #3. If you do so, your engine will be out of timing.I should note that my radiator and fan are already removed so it made this a lot easier. In your case, I would recommend only removing the fan but you must be very careful not to let your tools slip as you can puncture the radiator.

Use a T60 socket to disengage the tensioner and remove the belt. Turn to the left.

Use 8mm socket to remove the 8 screws holding the pulley on.

Once all screws are off you can just pull the pulley off the motor. This is what my old one looked like.

New one

Reserve the process for installation.

Torque to 25 ft lb Again, be careful not to allow your tools to slip.

Install the belt. It's a very tight fit. Here is how I did it.

Once I got to this point, I used a socket to crank the engine manually and allow the belt to "fall into place".

This is what it should look like when it's complete. Notice that the wobble is gone and so is the noise.

There is not much information about these on the internet. Please like this post if you enjoyed the tutorial.

Piggieback · 08-24-2015, 12:10 AM

Solid DIY, is your car out of warranty?

greekcs · 08-24-2015, 03:37 AM

you forgot to VO code the car.

xxxjecxxx · 08-24-2015, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggieback

Solid DIY, is your car out of warranty?

Yes sir! I think i'm one of the very few running around here without a warranty. Nobody will appreciate this until a few years from now

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcs

you forgot to VO code the car.

You know there is never enough coding

jelecroy · 08-25-2015, 09:10 AM

I'm pretty sure that although loosening the crank bolt (3) is a bad idea, it should not cause the valve train to loose timing. Part numbers 2 and 5 both are likely to have keys to position them, so that they will not spin on the crank. It is funny that keys are not shown on the BMW service pictures, though.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 05-09-2016, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxjecxxx

Yes sir! I think i'm one of the very few running around here without a warranty. Nobody will appreciate this until a few years from now

Thank you!

You know there is never enough coding

I've got an N55 E92, and I appreciate this now! I noticed an ever so slight wobble in mine. It doednt make any noise, but it's very great to know that BMW made the damper very easy to remove. I was expecting to have to get a massive cheater bar.

Street of Rage · 02-05-2018, 11:34 AM

Much appreciation on this post. My e92 N55 vibration damper started screaming yesterday (none today), and I checked this morning, it started to wobble, but I'm going to get that checked and fixed ASAP.

Thanks again.

Solidjake · 08-10-2018, 08:54 PM

I have some slight play on my N20 engine.... I might buy the balancer and make a vid for the install. It's crazy how that pulley starts the fail. It shouldn't...

Street of Rage · 08-15-2018, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Street of Rage

Much appreciation on this post. My e92 N55 vibration damper started screaming yesterday (none today), and I checked this morning, it started to wobble, but I'm going to get that checked and fixed ASAP.

Thanks again.

Just an update, after swapping it out back in Feb., it has been running smooth and noise free. It's an expensive part but have a friend to help you. Shouldn't take that long.

jc68 · 10-07-2018, 04:44 PM

I can’t see the pics, any chance they can be reloaded? I’ve got the same issue on my F15 X5 and will like to diy. Thanks!

Street of Rage · 10-07-2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc68

I can’t see the pics, any chance they can be reloaded? I’ve got the same issue on my F15 X5 and will like to diy. Thanks!

Just search for serpentine belt / belt tensioner DIY.

bnitka · 05-05-2023, 04:08 PM

Wow this is super helpful. Thanks.

Is there any risk of accidentally moving the crank when you break loose / torque on the bolts for this part? How did you avoid moving it if so?

This is a tiny step above any DIY I've done so any advice or detailed tips are appreciated. Kinda worried I'm gonna screw up by moving the crank somehow. Love learning from my own mistakes but not if it can throw off the timing of my engine :3

Revoltos · 05-06-2023, 01:40 PM

Dont touch the main bolt (number 3). Number 2 and 5 arnt keyed and rely on a compression fit created by the torque applied to bolt 3.
Bolt 4 (6 off) are what you need to remove. You wont do any damage to the crank whilst trying to undo those bolts. The engine my rotate slightly but once a cyclinder is on compression stroke the force required to undo bolt 4 will be less than the force required to turn the engine over.

ClampThurst · 06-21-2023, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcs

you forgot to VO code the car.

Wait, there is coding involved in this repair?

08-22-2015, 07:35 PM	#1
xxxjecxxx Banned 247 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F30 335i M sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	DIY Vibration Damper / Harmonic Balancer This is a tutorial and some general information on how to identify and replace a damaged vibration damper (BMW language) otherwise known as a harmonic balancer. In this "before" video, you will see the vibration damper (VB) wobble and create an unpleasant sound. I replaced part #1 in the attached diagram. It's function is to balance all of the internal components of the engine during operation. I will warn you that this part is on the expensive side. $487 directly from BMW with a discount. YOU DO NOT LOOSEN #3. If you do so, your engine will be out of timing.I should note that my radiator and fan are already removed so it made this a lot easier. In your case, I would recommend only removing the fan but you must be very careful not to let your tools slip as you can puncture the radiator. Use a T60 socket to disengage the tensioner and remove the belt. Turn to the left. Use 8mm socket to remove the 8 screws holding the pulley on. Once all screws are off you can just pull the pulley off the motor. This is what my old one looked like. New one Reserve the process for installation. Torque to 25 ft lb Again, be careful not to allow your tools to slip. Install the belt. It's a very tight fit. Here is how I did it. Once I got to this point, I used a socket to crank the engine manually and allow the belt to "fall into place". This is what it should look like when it's complete. Notice that the wobble is gone and so is the noise. There is not much information about these on the internet. Please like this post if you enjoyed the tutorial. Attached Images Last edited by xxxjecxxx; 08-22-2015 at 08:40 PM..
	Appreciate 4 Street of Rage59.50 IK6SPEED4486.00 Tweet Quote

08-24-2015, 12:10 AM	#2
Piggieback Private First Class 41 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2014 Cayman S, 2015 A3 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	Solid DIY, is your car out of warranty?
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08-24-2015, 03:37 AM	#3
greekcs Major 773 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	you forgot to VO code the car. __________________ 2003 11/02 Steel Gray Metallic on Red M3 - SMGII - VF570 - SUPERSPRINT - KW - BBS - CSL ROOF SOLD 2015 09/14 Alpine White on Red 435i xDrive MPPK - Expensive black vinyl with special lettering. SOLD 2020 12/19 Mineral Gray Metallic on Black Vinyl interior M340i xDrive
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08-25-2015, 09:10 AM	#5
jelecroy Enlisted Member 8 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2013 328i, 2014 328i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i [0.00]	I'm pretty sure that although loosening the crank bolt (3) is a bad idea, it should not cause the valve train to loose timing. Part numbers 2 and 5 both are likely to have keys to position them, so that they will not spin on the crank. It is funny that keys are not shown on the BMW service pictures, though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-05-2018, 11:34 AM	#7
Street of Rage Second Lieutenant 60 Rep 217 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i e92 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 818 Northridge iTrader: (0)	Much appreciation on this post. My e92 N55 vibration damper started screaming yesterday (none today), and I checked this morning, it started to wobble, but I'm going to get that checked and fixed ASAP. Thanks again. __________________
	Appreciate 1 xxxjecxxx2153.00 Quote

08-10-2018, 08:54 PM	#8
Solidjake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 945 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '13 328i Msport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC/SNJ iTrader: (2)	I have some slight play on my N20 engine.... I might buy the balancer and make a vid for the install. It's crazy how that pulley starts the fail. It shouldn't... __________________ Tensioner/belt DIY \| Side skirt extension DIY Apex SM-10/DWS06+ \| 400m/X-ice Xi3 \| Injen Exhaust \| Stoptech SS Lines \| 335 Front Brakes Hawk HPS 5.0 \| RBF600 \| ER Charge Pipes \| Wagner Evo Comp 2 FMIC
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10-07-2018, 04:44 PM	#10
jc68 Private 3 Rep 63 Posts Drives: E92 M3 ZCP, F15 X5, 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	I can’t see the pics, any chance they can be reloaded? I’ve got the same issue on my F15 X5 and will like to diy. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2023, 04:08 PM	#12
bnitka Amateur DIYer 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW F30 335i Join Date: May 2023 Location: Santa Barbara, California iTrader: (0)	Wow this is super helpful. Thanks. Is there any risk of accidentally moving the crank when you break loose / torque on the bolts for this part? How did you avoid moving it if so? This is a tiny step above any DIY I've done so any advice or detailed tips are appreciated. Kinda worried I'm gonna screw up by moving the crank somehow. Love learning from my own mistakes but not if it can throw off the timing of my engine :3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2023, 01:40 PM	#13
Revoltos Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 268 Posts Drives: BMW F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Dont touch the main bolt (number 3). Number 2 and 5 arnt keyed and rely on a compression fit created by the torque applied to bolt 3. Bolt 4 (6 off) are what you need to remove. You wont do any damage to the crank whilst trying to undo those bolts. The engine my rotate slightly but once a cyclinder is on compression stroke the force required to undo bolt 4 will be less than the force required to turn the engine over.
	Appreciate 0 Quote