Sunday, March 30, 2014
DIY Harmonic Balancer Removal in a Chrysler Sebring
The Sebring was a series of mid-size cars that Chrysler produced from 1995 through 2010. The crankshaft in this vehicle has a harmonic balancer, like most modern combustion engines. The harmonic balancer is essentially a counterweight that reduces the vibrations that occur when the crankshaft rotates at high speed. The procedure for removing the harmonic balancer in a Chrysler Sebring requires you to lift the engine to access it.
Instructions
- 1
Remove the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench so you dont inadvertently start the engine during the removal process.
2Place a wooden block on a floor jack to serve as a cushion. Position the floor jack under the oil pan and raise the jack to support the engine.
3Disconnect the three vertical mount bolts on the right side of the engine with a socket wrench. Lower the floor jack and reposition it so you can raise the entire vehicle while getting access to the oil pan. Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and support it on jack stands.
4Unscrew the lug nuts from the right front wheel with a lug wrench then pull off the wheel. Remove the splash shield for the drive belt with a socket wrench.
5Place a wooden block on a screw jack, and position the screw jack under the oil pan. Support the engine with the screw jack and disconnect the front and rear through-bolts for the engine mount with a socket wrench.
6Lower the engine with the screw jack and detach the accessory drive belts from their pulleys. Disconnect the mounting bolt for the harmonic balancer with a socket wrench.
7Connect special tool 8454 to the harmonic balancer and attach insert 6827-A to the special tool. Pull the balancer from the crankshaft.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
How do I Change Control Arm on 2001 Sebring Convertible
The Chrysler Sebring was a rental fleet special (to put it favorably). Chrysler made the Sebring with lowest bidder parts and the minimum amount of research and development, which may have led to Chryslers dire financial straits. Maintenance on Chrysler Sebrings is an unfortunate constant if you own one, as they are not made well in any sense of the word. The control arms in the Sebring support the steering knuckle and suspension components and are only on the front wheels.
Instructions
- 1
Park the Sebring Convertible somewhere flat and out of traffic. Empty the car out to make it lighter to jack up. Place the car jack under the corner that you want to replace the control arm on. Jack the corner up and slide in a jack stand to keep it up. Use the tire iron to remove the lug nuts from the wheel and then slide the wheel off the steering knuckle.
2Pull the retaining pin out of the ball joint on the underside of the steering knuckle. Use a pair of pliers and a flat-head screwdriver as a pry bar. Unbolt the ball joint nut and then pry the ball joint out of the steering knuckle. Unbolt the two bolts on the lower end of the left arm of the control arm from the steering knuckle. Repeat the unbolting on the right arm of the control arm.
3Unbolt the upper part of the control arm and then pull it down from the cars frame. Slide in the new control arm and bolt it onto the frame. Slide in the steering knuckle and thread in the two bolts on each side first to hold the knuckle in place. Tighten the bolts down with a wrench once the knuckle is properly aligned. Push the ball joint back in and bolt it into place. Slide the retaining pin back in and reattach the tire. Lower the Sebring off the jack stand.