[s-cars] vibration damper (harmonic balancer)

[Varon H. Fugman]

I traced my engine start-up/shut-down growl-clunk-freewheel noise to the
vibration damper—it, or maybe just the outer ring, is loose and can spin
independently of the serpentine belt pulley.  I’m trying to figure out what
is going on mostly by feel
 not a lot of room between the vibration damper
and the radiator.  I think I’m going need to remove the front bumper and put
the radiator into “service mode” to get a little better access.

 

I’ve studied Bently, ETKA, a timing belt writeup, and the list archives
trying to understand how the vibration damper and pulleys are assembled.
I’m trying to figure out if (1.) my vibration damper has come “unglued” such
that the outer ring is now separate from the inner hub or (2.) did the 4
bolts that hold the crank pulleys together fall out or (3.) both?

 

If the 4 bolts are in place, shouldn’t I be able to feel the bolt heads?
Reaching down, I can feel the main crank bolt, but around it I feel holes
rather than bolt heads.  I’m wondering if the shop that did my timing belt
~18 months ago reused the old lock washers and the bolts all loosened and
fell out?

 

I need to come up with a parts list and repair plan.  I’ve farmed out the
timing belt on this car both times, although I did the CPS myself without
trouble (thanks to the marvelous illustrated writeup!) so at least I’m a
little familiar with the top ½ of the timing belt now. :-)  I am a little
intimidated by the high-torque crank bolt, though, 

 

I would appreciate any input from anyone that has had vibration damper
failure
 or from anyone familiar with the crank pulley assembly. Thanks!

 

Varon

’95 urS6