GMC Harmonic Balancer
Are you familiar with the
term “torsional vibration”? Well, torsional vibration is simply a
periodic vibration which would result from the twisting of an object
around its axis. In your GMC truck or SUV, this vibration would be
expected to originate from the crankshaft as the engine tries to turn
it. Excessive torsional vibration, however, is unwanted because it may
cause various damages not only to the crankshaft but to the engine
itself. Thanks though to the GMC harmonic balancer because with it, you
will no longer have to worry about torsional vibration and its effects.
Torsional vibration occurs because of the uneven distribution
of power in the engine’s crankshaft. As the engine fires, much of the
power it produced is taken by the front end of the crankshaft. This
causes the front end to move before the rear end does, resulting in a
twisting motion. This front end twisting, and its eventual unwinding as
power is removed, causes torsional vibration—a vibration that can be
avoided by using a harmonic balancer.
The GMC harmonic balancer is a component that attaches to the
front end of your GMC’s engine crankshaft to prevent torsional
vibration. Also called crank pulley damper or vibration damper, a
harmonic balancer is actually made up of three parts: a steel inner
part which bolts to the crankshaft; a steel outer part that have
grooves for the belt; and a rubber disk or spring loaded discs, or
both, in between the two steel parts. As the engine tries to turn the
crankshaft, it ends up twisting the rubber part of the damper instead.
Thus, twisting of the crankshaft is prevented and its smooth rotation
is ensured.
The harmonic balancer can efficiently prevent excessive
torsional vibration, although only if it is in good working condition.
Once damaged or worn out, it would spell fatigue and fracture for the
crankshaft, destruction for the couplings, and inefficiency for the
engine. That’s why it is important to check on the condition of the
vibration damper of your GMC regularly. Once damaged or worn out, it is
advisable that it be replaced immediately. |