Balancer Shaft removal, engine in car?

[lil corb]

I was going to attempt this while motor still in car but I talked to a local DSMer veteran and he said in order to keep good oil pressure you have do something with the oil holes. He said it's nearly impossible to knock out the bearings and do something with the oil holes while motor is in the car. How hard is it? and the VFaq guide is for the motor out the car or in?

thanks

 

[JDNSBR]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/balance-shafts.html

This tells you how to do it with engine in car.

 

[SBstar]

You can do it either way following the VFAQ guide, you're going to need to lower the engine a bit to get the front one out but it can be done (trust me I did it). Do you have the kit for doing it? If not get a kit from SBR (cheapest one I found) it includes new bearings to block off the oil holes (you have to make sure the holes aren't lined up).

 

[phillabaum03]

I have a 2g and not sure how different it is. All i have to say is that i could only get of of the bearings blocked off so i figured it would be ok. NOPE! it blew 2 oil pumps because they werent gettin enough oil. And i had to pull the motor.

 

[SBstar]

I have a 2g and not sure how different it is. All i have to say is that i could only get of of the bearings blocked off so i figured it would be ok. NOPE! it blew 2 oil pumps because they werent gettin enough oil. And i had to pull the motor.

Yes make sure you block off those oil holes blocked off or you will have problems.

 

[lil corb]

Is it hard to block them off? plugging them up? and I only have to remove the rear balancer shaft or both? the Vfaq only mentions one. and Does the Oil pan have to come off? that would be hard to hold the motor and lower it with a jack and wood if there is no pan to put it on.

thanks

 

[SBstar]

Yes the oil pan has to come off, and you do need to remove both shafts and install a stubby shaft. In order to block the holes you take the new bearings and turn them so the holes do not line up and install them where the old bearings used to be, you can use the balance shaft to knock out the old bearings and for helping install the new ones.

EDIT: you lower the engine by putting a jack under the front crossmember and then unbolt the crossmember from the frame. its all listed in the vfaq

 

[lil corb]

how would I go about lowering the motor with out putting a piece of wood on oil pan?

 

[SBstar]

look at my above post or better yet read the full vfaq it tells you how.

 

[JDNSBR]

how would I go about lowering the motor with out putting a piece of wood on oil pan?

Unbolt all of the motormounts except for the one on the far passenger side. The motor will then sit cocked with the timing side down. Remove the tire, and you will have access to everything you need. It's wise to do this with a cherry picker for safety.

 

[lil corb]

aight thanks I will attempt it soon.

 

[luvmygst]

People have been known to leave the front shaft in because they could not get the bearings out.(while doing this in the car) just dont put a belt on it. You dont get the slight gain in oil pressure like that but you dont lose the pressure by having two open oil holes. You can just put the stubby shaft on the oil pump and leave the front with no belt. I did the elimination on my car for less than a dollar. I pulled the front bs bearings and turned them 180deg to block the holes, got a shorter bolt for the bs belt tensioner, and cut the back shaft and welded the hole up, and used a freeze plug to block the hole in the front cover. My friend did his car like that and has been running for over 2 years. Just my .02 Good luck

 

[lil corb]

I have no access to a welder though

 

[PaulN]

I hope it goes well for you.

I did mine with the engine out of the car and man what a pain it was to knock those bearings out of the engine to replace with the new flipped bearings.

It was a major pain even with all the access I had with the engine flipped upside down on a stand. I couldn't imagine doing this on my back under a car with the engine still in. It's possible, because so many others do it, but I personally probably will never attempt to do so for as long as I own a DSM. Like I said so many others do it, so just make sure you are sure you can do the job and read everything so you're not surprised by any situation you may run into. Do not start this job on a whim. Be prepared and have all the tools mentioned in VFAQ and on the forums before starting and be sure you have a backup ride, just in case you need something from the parts store.

Good luck.

 

[SBstar]

I guess i just don't understand what everyone finds so hard about doing this, its actually really simple if done correctly. First of all it helps to have two people, second try to get the engine lowered as much as possible, thirdly make sure you put all your bolts/nuts in bags and label where they go (ie. put all the bolts for the timing cover in a bag by themselves and label it, etc...) If you use the balance shaft to knock the bearings out it works pretty simply, use a large socket (appropriate size) to knock out the front bearing, flip the old balance shaft around and knock out the rear, its a little more difficult getting the new bearings in but take your time and make sure those holes don't line up. Lastly please just buy a kit, if you want this done correctly and you don't feel up to welding/figuring it out on your own. It's only $42 from SBR and it could save you hundreds on a new engine in the future.

 

[PaulN]

Okay it's easy for you. Just don't assume it's easy for everyone. There's varying levels of mechanical skills on this site and I was relaying my experience to the original poster. You've got good points, as do others. I did exactly like you, and it took two hours to get the bearings out. I just don't want the poster to feel like this is going to be such a simple job. In my opinion it's not always as easy as it sounds.


READ READ READ. That's the best advice for you (original poster).

 

[SBstar]

It was my first experience working on a 4G63 and my first look at engine internals ever, I by no means had experience, but yes I understand that its not easy for everyone. Maybe you and others have just ran into a problem i didn't experience. I'm just trying to say don't get scared away from doing it because others think its too hard, but I agree don't go into it lightly thinkin it will be a 1 hr. job.

 

[lil corb]

yea I'm going to read this thread and the vfaq as well past archive post over and over.

thanks to all

 

[1991GSXAWD]

I removed both balance shafts with engine in the car, the front balance shaft i had to take a sawzall to it and cut it into 3 pieces to get it out, i realized once i got the shaft and bearings out, i had to install the new bearings but how? I went through my toolbox and noticed that the freeze plug installer tool kit would work perfect to install the rear bearing, and it did!

 

[SBstar]

The front one is a little more difficult to get out with the engine in the car, you need to lower the engine as low as you can possibly get it, and it'll still come out on an angle in the end. Take your time and have some patience and if possible get someone to help you (I would suggest this on any job).

 

[JamiesTSI]

The best way to do this would be to modifie the rear balance shaft by putting it in a lathe and turning it down.

Has anybody witnessed what a oil pump assembly looks like after years of running no rear balance shaft? The shaft is also there to support the oil pump gears with-out it the gears are slightly cocked. Where the bottom gear goes through the oil pump cover gets some serious abuse. Trust me I have witnessed this first hand.

 

[manwithaGSX]

I just did this two days ago, with the engine in the car. The only bearing that was difficult was the front one in the middle. What I did was use 32mm 1/2in drive socket and a long extension, then hammered it out through the hole the front balance shaft goes through. I didn't hit it my hardest, but I didn't treat it like glass either. It takes a bit of patience and some reading

 

[MiSFiTz]

I did mine with it out of the car and it made life alot easier, i would say i could be done in the car also but it would be difficult.

I just did what the vfaqs said and was done in no time.