Harmonic damper - ?help?

[RCCUMMINS89]

Has anyone first hand had issues/problems with theirs going out? I'm curious on what symptoms it causes.

I've had a vibration issue that has been getting worse for quite some time. I can't tell if it is clutch related or maybe the damper.

-It gets worse with load and gets worse with rpms.
-The type of vibration that tickles your foot and makes your hand go numb on the shifter
-I can change the tone/vibration WITH PLAYING WITH TIMING, but can't make it go away (this makes me think it is engine related and nothing else)
-U-joints, driveline, etc... are good I know it's not that (well, I think I know )

[DodgeFreak]

The ones ive seen bad were on gassers and the rubber would rot and then they would move more and cause a vibration.

[ellis93]

Eric.....my experiences are of "gas" engines. And your description of symptoms sound like the balancer being spun.....the outer ring slipping on the rubber.

[RCCUMMINS89]

Balancer or damper though? Ours is strictly a damper, but some vehicles they are actual balancers.

[ellis93]

I'm assuming it would cause the same.....I'm not entirely certain what I've replaced wasn't either one. As far as I know gas engines can swing either way.

[AHineman]

Good excuse to buy a better one....

[RCCUMMINS89]

If that's it....

[ihredneck]

I had a bad one once...but it's cause the engine fell off the lift nose down

[BILTIT]

I will send you my old one if you like. It was a noticable difference when i put the fluidamper on mine.

[RCCUMMINS89]

What was the difference? Did it smooth out the increased timing vibrations? Or???

[BC847]

It was a noticable difference when i put the fluidamper on mine.

^^This.^^

[BILTIT]

I don't have increased timing (just M&H spacer) so i cannot say much to that but when i put the DD clutch in i noticed more idle vibs. I installed the fluidamper and the idle vibs disappeared, also felt smoother all the way through.

[RCCUMMINS89]

Damn it

[PToombs]

TDR had a write up about dampers not long ago. (not long ago my ass, it was 2 years ago, I went and got it ) Look at it close, the rubber should all be there and not protrude past the face of the damper except for the slight bulge. There is an index line that crosses the hub and pulley ring that can't be more than 1/16 out of alignment. (pulley ring spinning on the hub) Both the hub and the outer ring should be even also across the face. The article also stated that if you have increased the horsepower the damper may be out of it's design range.
Hope this helps Eric.
If a Fluidampr wasn't $400+ I'd have one on my truck.

[BC847]

I installed mine around 12-02-2006. I noticed a much smoother idle right off. It seemed to rev-up a little easier.

At that time, I think I was still messing with a micrometer to set the timing. Some 190s or so injectors, HX35 hybrid , 1/4" or so bump, etc.