Rubber coming out of vibration damper - How to Fix?

Johnny V

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Jersey Shore

• Nov 8, 2004

• #1

Hi all,

I just noticed on my '89 XJ I-6 the rubber is coming out of the vibration damper pulley. I tried to push it in with a screwdriver but didn't have really good leverage.

Is this common? I'm going to install a new water pump in a few days should I take off the vibration damper pulley to fix it or is there a way to fix it while it's still on the engine?

Thanks,

John V.

 

old_man

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Loveland, Colorado

• Nov 8, 2004

• #2

The only fix is to replace it. You should do it before things come apart and it takes out the radiator. Tellico4x4 used to have a good price on them.

 

Gil BullyKatz

NAXJA Forum User

Location

2003UB313 Planet ERIS

• Nov 8, 2004

• #3

I paid about $70 at the dealer... Not a bad job to do, took about 2 hours. Big hint, get your hands on a dampener puller, it'll make the job A LOT easier, I paid $8 at autozone for it and I loosened the crank bolt by cranking the engine over for a split sec with a socket and breaker bar wedged.

 

w_howey

NAXJA Forum User

Location

The Mudwest

• Nov 8, 2004

• #4

I got the damper for 45 bucks or so from NAPA. I have a steering wheel/damper puller, I bought from Harbor Freight for 20 bucks. I used a chain pipe wrench to keep the damper from turning while loosening the bolt.

 

Johnny V

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Jersey Shore

• Nov 9, 2004

• #5

Thanks guys!

So I can't just take off the pulley and force the rubber back in?

When I pull it off there's no orientation of the pulley I need to worry about?

The more I dig deeper, the more money I spend!

 

old_man

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Loveland, Colorado

• Nov 9, 2004

• #6

It is an injection molded piece that isn't just a flat stuff it back in piece. There is a tremendous amount of energy stored in that rotating piece of metal and the rubber has to transmit it along with the force to run the accessories. After a while the rubber just starts going south. It one of those maintenance items just like tires and shocks.

 

XJEEPER

NAXJA Member # 13

NAXJA Member

Location

Wasatch Range

• Nov 9, 2004

• #7

Johnny V said:

Thanks guys!

So I can't just take off the pulley and force the rubber back in?

When I pull it off there's no orientation of the pulley I need to worry about?

The more I dig deeper, the more money I spend!

Click to expand...

Sorry Johnny, there's no bandaid fix for this, replace the dampener. Running it like that for an extended period will only increase the chance of you throwing a belt and leaving you stranded. You can find a dampener for about $40, replace the crankshaft oil seal located behind the dampner while you're at it and consider replacement of the serpentine belt as well if it's got more than 70K miles on it.
good luck

 

Johnny V

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Jersey Shore

• Nov 9, 2004

• #8

Thanks Everyone!

I'll get the crankshaft oil seal while I'm at it - it's only money!

Actually I don't mind spending money on my Jeep. It's served me well for so long and complained very little.

 

S

SimpleXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

east coast

• Nov 9, 2004

• #9

I had two of them drift backwards into the timing cover, slicing it open and spilling oil everywhere. Get it fixed.

SimpleXJ