C5 Harmonic balancer pullers

[sayerbloke]

Hi,

A quick question about the pullers used for removing a harmonic balancer, please.

If you google LS1 specific pullers you get ones that look like this:



but whenever you watch a tutorial, they always have the less rigid type like one of these:



Just wondered if anyone knew of any pros/cons of the different types, please?! The second type with the extra rods looks like they'd be useful from what I've seen (And are available for less money, interestingly). As I said, just curious what people have found before. Many thanks

[Oneball]

I’ve not done an LS1 but I find pullers with the pivoting legs a right pain for slipping off.

[Boosted LS1]

The GM 3 legged puller has 'loose' legs that grip the tabs on the inner edges of the pulley. This way you don't strain the rubber in the damper. There is an insert that fits inside the nose of the crank.

In your situation I'd buy something like the LS1 specific item to get the job done.

[sayerbloke]

Thanks for the input. Would one like in the top pic be sufficient on its own or would I need any more pieces, like those threaded rods, in order to get it off do you think? I say “I”, but for this job I’ll be using a garage and instead going to be getting some of the tools in advance for anything they don’t have on hand themselves!

It’s an auto, so know I also need a way to lock things in place.

[Boosted LS1]

The one in the top pic looks as if you put it into place and then rotate it slightly to engage the 3 tabs. Once engaged you tighten up the puller and remove the pulley.