Harmonic balancers
The harmonic balancer, or vibration dampener, mounts on the front of the crankshaft where it muffles torsional vibration. Power comes to the crankshaft as a series of impulses that cause the shaft to twist, first in the direction of rotation and then against normal rotation. The shaft winds and unwinds from a node point near the flywheel. This movement can, unless dampened, quickly break the shaft.
Most harmonic balancers consist of an outer, or driven, ring bonded by means of rubber pads to the hub, which keys to the crankshaft. The rubber medium dampens crankshaft accelerations and deceleration, transferring motion to the outer ring at average crankshaft velocity. Some balancers drive through silicon-based fluid that exerts the same braking effect.
It is difficult to test a harmonic balancer in a meaningful way. Rubberized balancers can be stressed in a press and the condition of the rubber observed. Cracks or separation of the bonded joint means that the unit should be replaced. Fluid-filled balancers are checked for external damage and fluid leaks. Some machinists equate noise when the balancer is rolled on edge with failure.
Detroit Diesel’s advice is best: replace the balancer whenever the engine is rebuilt.