Kia Sportage Harmonic Balancer

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There are so many components in your SUV and one of them is the Kia Sportage Harmonic Balancer which is designed to prolong engine life by reducing the torsional vibration or angular vibration of a shaft along its axis of rotation. Thus it lessens the pressure and use on the main bearings and journals and avoid crankshaft failure. The torque is transmitted to the crankshaft each time the cylinders fire. The connecting rod pounds the crankshaft journal causing energy to be transmitted through the engine. The crankshaft deflects under this torque which sets up vibrations when the torque is released. The torques and the vibrations are in sync or concurrent at certain speeds which results in a phenomenon called resonance. This is the state where the stress is too much for the crankshaft to endure and causes it to fail.

The Kia SportageHarmonic Balancer is connected to the crankshaft of the engine to prevent and dampen this vibration. It is made up of three parts, the inner, outer and center part. The inner part is bolted to the crankshaft while the outer part has timing marks and pulley cuts for the belts. It is the rubber ring center part that dampens the vibrations. The power from the cylinder twists the heavy part of the damper when it hits the front of the crankshaft. Unfortunately, what it ends up twisting is the rubber or discs that connect the two parts of the damper. The front cannot keep up with the speed and so the force is utilized to twirl the rubber and speed up the wheel of the damper. It is also used in keeping the crankshaft and its operation in control and for it not to fail.

A mass and an energy dissipating element are the two elements in the harmonic balance. The mass struggle against the acceleration of the vibration and the energy dissipating element absorbs the vibrations. The rubber/clutch/fluid is used as energy dissipating elements of the harmonic balancer. Over time, this can corrode due to age, heat, cold and exposure to chemicals or oil that can result to crankshaft's failure. The rubber portion dries out and crack and might separate from the metal sections and cause the outer grooved ring to spin separately from the hub.

Failure of the harmonic balancer can cause the timing mark to drift and may cause further damage. Regular inspection of the harmonic balancer is important. In case of damage, replace your harmonic balancer. For a superior quality Kia Sportage Harmonic Balancer, simply order from Parts Train.