The harmonic balancer is a device designed to reduce torsional vibration or angular vibration of a shaft along its axis of rotation. This vibration damper or crank pulley damper is connected to the crankshaft of an engine. The torque is transmitted to the crankshaft every time the cylinders fire. The crankshaft deflects under this torque, which sets up vibrations when the torque is released. At certain speeds the torques and the vibrations are in sync or concurrent and results in a phenomenon called resonance where the stress is too much for the crankshaft can endure and thus causing it to fail. The harmonic balancer is thus attached to the crankshaft to prevent and dampen this vibration.
The harmonic balancer is composed 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. The rubber ring center part dampens the vibrations. The power from the cylinder tries to twist the heavy part of the damper when it hits the front of the crankshaft. What it ends up twisting is the rubber or discs that connect the two parts of the damper and front cannot keep up with the speed and so the force is utilized to twirls the rubber and speed up the wheel of the damper and keeping the crankshaft and its operation in control and not in failure. There are also two elements in the harmonic balance which are a mass and an energy dissipating element. The mass struggle against the acceleration of the vibration and the energy dissipating element absorbs the vibrations.
Over time, the energy dissipating (rubber/clutch/fluid) element of the harmonic balancer can corrode due to age, heat, cold and exposure to chemicals or oil and can result to the failure of the crankshaft. The rubber portion can dry out and crack and might separate from the metal sections and cause the outer grooved ring to spin separately from the hub. In case your harmonic balancer fails, the timing mark drifts and if any part is damaged then you will need to replace it immediately.
It would be best to regularly inspect your harmonic balancer to be sure of its situation; it may be difficult to remove it once damaged. For a quality Jeep Cherokee Harmonic Balancer, Parts Train would be able to help you with its wide selection of harmonic balancers. Product ordering has been made easy, accessible and safe for you and any time you place your order you are guaranteed great deals and discounts.