keep BALANCE SHAFTS?

[badboyr66]

Ok, I have a 91 TSI, and I am wondering if I should toss the balance shafts or not. It seems to me they are not attached to anything to counter balance <such as crank or anything moving internal>, but more or less are just there to take away the vibration. Even so I am not sure if this will affect me long term. Have any of you removed these and if so, how much vibration is there and how many miles have you gone without them?

 

[larryd]

if you have your engine out and you can, then remove them now before they become a problem

 

[candela]

Well its typically not to just take away vibration dude. I have not met anyone that had their motor out and did not do it. I woudl say your chances of a longer lasting motor are much great if you remove them period. The counter shaft spins twice the speed the crank does, and can often snap the belt or even just fail, causing the T belt to go with it and thus causing bad things,....