04 LS V8 harmonic balancer questions.

Parker B39

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Hello all! This is my first post here, I’ve been lurking for a few years now but didn’t have anything to say until now.

I’ve recently discovered that my 04 LS V8 needs a new harmonic balancer, as it’s starting to slip forward and cause belt issues. (see pics) I’ve also noticed a new oil leak as of late around the front of the engine, it looks like it could be the timing cover, though I’m not sure.

Now, my questions are as follows:
1. Where would be the best place to get a quality replacement balancer? Since I really don’t want to do this twice.
2. Is the oil leak I’m seeing actually from the timing cover, and would it be worth the extra time to reseal the timing cover while I have the balancer off?

I’m confident I can do all the work myself, I’m just looking for direction from people who have done this before and have more experience and anything I should know before attempting this job.
It should be noted that the car has around 85k miles and the harmonic was supposedly replaced by a shop a few years ago iirc.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

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I would not attempt this without a shop manual. Do you have one?
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Rockauto has balancers. There is also a vendor that rebuilds balancers that folks have had good success with.

I had a small annoying oil leak that was from the front cover of my 2004 LS. I eventually replaced the front cover gaskets and have been leak free for the past 2 years. It is an involved but not complicated job, but you do need a manual to know what to take off and in what order. There is also a specific torquing sequence for the cover bolts.

While you do have the cover off, you should check the condition of your timing chain tensioners. Mine were in good shape at ~275,000 miles. Now I am over 301,000 miles.
 
I have reached the point as well where I have to change my balancer. Years ago I contemplated doing this but decided against it because I thought the wobble was minimal. That has recently changed. It's been six years though so I guess I wasn't wrong. There was a guy in Oregon or Washington that did rebuilds but he is no longer doing it. I went and bought the Dayco brand one off of Rockauto for $311 only to find out after I received it that Orielly's is selling one(APT brand) for $180 right now. Too much trouble to send it back so I'm just going to eat the extra. If anyone is considering doing this job you may want to buy it now. I couldn't find a oil gasket for the cooler. It looks like an o-ring online. I will see once I have it apart if I can find something that works or just put it back together and hope it don't leak. I also have oil leaks but am not going to do the cover gasket. It doesn't leak enough to worry about the level.
 
Well, I’ve replaced the balancer now, and I decided to go ahead and reseal the timing cover while I was in there.
Removing and replacing the balancer wasn't too difficult, I was able to get the old one off without removing the oil cooler. I replaced it with a new dayco balancer from rockauto. The most annoying part of the job for me was removing the power steering pump and bracket.
Anyway, attached are some photos I took while I had it apart.
I’m quite pleased with how clean the engine internals are.

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Well, I’ve replaced the balancer now, and I decided to go ahead and reseal the timing cover while I was in there.
Removing and replacing the balancer wasn't too difficult, I was able to get the old one off without removing the oil cooler. I replaced it with a new dayco balancer from rockauto. The most annoying part of the job for me was removing the power steering pump and bracket.
Anyway, attached are some photos I took while I had it apart.
I’m quite pleased with how clean the engine internals are.

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View attachment 828581472
Looks good! Double check that those chain tensioners are all good!

Make sure to clean off all the old oil drips so you can make sure you aren't leaking any more. This may go without saying but make sure you torque the front cover per the manual. And yes, the power steering pump and bracket are a real PITA! The mounting bolt holes for the PS had been stripped at one point and I had to find and put in a new bracket.
 

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