When to replace balance shaft?

[habitatguy187]

Ok, tonight was the first time i've ever heard anything about balance shafts or removing them for that matter. One, I need to know if it's an important thing to do (I know they can ruin the engine) but like, is there a certain mileage? Or are they more prone to go out if you drive hard? And also, I know a guy who's mitsu master-tech certified and real into dsms (actually the guy who told me about it) and he said he'd help me do it for $350 plus parts and that it would take around 12 hours. Is this a good deal? He knows his stuff so well that he could probably do it blindfolded. Thanks

 

[98GSXtreme07]

12 hours sounds way to long. I think he's taking you for a ride since you don't know anything about balance shafts. I mean I could be wrong since I've never replaced mine but I think the dealership told me its about 5-6 hours for a timing belt job. That's pretty much what he's doing. My 0.02

 

[ove_98 TSI]

12 hours is way to long it can be done in under 5 hours, have you considered removing them completetly or do you want to keep them

 

[92AWDHX40]

Timing belt components should be replaced at the same time about 4 to 6 hours for a job like that, ive done mine before.

 

[knochgoon24]

You don't replace the shafts, just the belt that connects them to the crank. If you're due to have the timing belt done, it's wise to either replace the belt or to preform a balance shaft elimination.

 

[habitatguy187]

He's talking about removing the shafts altogether. Including the oil pump thing. idk he said that you basically have to take apart the engine, and that the balancers can rub a hole through the head??? Someone throw me a rope. By the way he would be replacing the timing belt and water pump also.

 

[knochgoon24]

The balance shafts are no where near the head. The front balance shaft is connected to the sprocket circled in red. The rear balance shaft is behind the odd shaped plug (just above the oil pump sprocket) and is circled in green. Both shafts run parallel to the crankshaft.

 

[ScottH]

He's talking about removing the shafts altogether. Including the oil pump thing. idk he said that you basically have to take apart the engine, and that the balancers can rub a hole through the head??? Someone throw me a rope. By the way he would be replacing the timing belt and water pump also.

HERE is a good technical write-up that I used the first time I removed the BS in my first DSM.

 

[habitatguy187]

ok, so I think he said it can wallow out a hole in the block, not the head, sorry. and also he said that he'd do the timing belt for $150, but the balance shaft removal was a lot harder and more money, so anyway, do i need to remove my balance shafts right now or can it wait? My car has 120k on it and hasn't been driven hard until I bought it.

 

[jrohner]

$150 labor sounds decent as long as he knows what he's doing and will do the job right. Make sure the 2 timing belt bearings are replaced, as well as the balance belt and tensioner bearing. Many times it is actually the balance belt that breaks or strips off first, and the bearings are usually starting to get dry or rough by the time you replace the belts also.

 

[98GSXtreme07]

Maybe you can get him to install this kit: 4G63 4G63T Mitsubishi Timing Kit Package 1All Engines '89 thru 1992. It has everything you would possibly need for a timing belt replacement.

Of course thats another 200 dollars but a total of doing a complete timing belt job going for $350, is a hell of a deal.

 

[habitatguy187]

ok, first off i have no big deal with him doing a t-belt, his own talon runs a 9.6, but the thing is the balance shafts, does ANYONE know anything about these or the potential damage they can do? (as in wearing a hole in the block) AND do they wear out after a certain mileage or after hard driving??? someone please help because I understand the t-belt replacement and I understand that the balance shaft belt can break and break the t-belt, but I don't know anything about them wearing a hole in the block. that is all.

 

[ove_98 TSI]

i dont really think they could wear a hole in your block beacuse it has bearings, i rebuilt my engine at 119,000 and it was driven very hard and alot of the bearings were scratched or had signs of lack of oil..... then i took out the balance shaft bearings and either of them did not have a scratch or it was not wore at all, perfect condition
so i dont think it is possible it could "wallow" out the block