So I just pulled my harmonic balancer out, and noticed that the rubber piece between the two metal pieces is pushed in on one side, and popping out the other in one spot.

Is this normal for the HB?
Or is this signaling its time to replace it before it goes out completely?

 

It's a sign that it is on the way toward failure, but, you have a fair bit of time before that actually happens...... It wouldn't *hurt* to replace it, but, it isn't absolutely required either.

 

Agreed, it's on the way out, but not quite there yet. I had one that was going out on my truck, I could let the truck idle, pop the hood, and look at the pulley on the balancer, it wobbled. The rubber was coming out on my balancer so I went ahead and swapped mine.

 

Thats what I was thinking....
Is the HB one of those items you want to use an OEM replacement?
All of the aftermarket ones appear to be identicle with the pulley permanently attached, and the Dorman brand seems to be the most readily available (I know Dorman is not a popular brand on here haha)

 

Think I would rather have OEM than Dorman.......

 

Agreed. I've been reading that the Dorman ones arent the correct size and cause the belt to pop off unless you shim the alternator/ac bracket with some washers....my oem one will be at the dealership tomorrow morning... thanks for the help!!