Went t a friends house the other day and when he drove up in his 2002 5.9 Dakota, it was squeaking rhythmically. Since the noise was coming from the engine, I know it wasn't someone fooling around inside.

After some investigation, I found this:



And this:



It looks to me like the harmonic balancer is coming apart. In the second picture, it looks like it is actually rubbing on the timing mark indicator boss and in the first picture, it sure looks to me like that is freshly exposed rubber. If i'm wrong, let me know, but I think we need a new HB. And if so, is there a preferred supplier?

Thanks.

 

It's hard to tell in the photo, is it the press-on pulley or the 6-bolt pulley?

It's not unheard of but it is uncommon.

 

I don't know if it's press on or bolt on. The fresh rubber there tells me that the outer ring has moved.

 

no question it has moved. the 5.9 is externally balanced via weight on the flexplate, so all the harmonic does is absorb harmonics. Look inside the crank pulley, either there will be one center bolt or the center plus 6 bolts.

 

Looks to be the pressed in one with a single bolt down the center on the 5.9. Looks a lot different from my 3.9 which I know is the 6+1 bolt. Also parts places show an image of only the single bolt.

 

it depends on the year but I haven't been able to find a set pattern.

 

Ahh I see, thanks.

 

It sounds like the HB is either held on to the crank by one bolt or six. Is that correct? If so, this one is just one bolt. And looking at pictures online, I'm pretty sure that is what we have here.

 

on some balancers, the pulley is mounted to the balancer by 6 bolts, and the entire assembly is held on the crank by one 32mm bolt. On others, the pulley is pressed on the balancer, and the whole assembly still has the 32mm crank bolt.

The difference is when you get a replacement.

 

Perfect. So I just need to reach up in there and feel for bolt heads. If I feel them or not will depend on which one to get.

Thank You