This procedure covers removal and replacement of the harmonic balancer (crankshaft damper) on the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including accessory drive belt removal and crankshaft positioning.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Harmonic balancer/crankshaft damper × 1 — Motorcraft DG-511 or equivalent
• Harmonic balancer bolt (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification - often one-time use
• Serpentine belt (if damaged or worn) × 1 — Motorcraft K080990

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable
3. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
4. Raise and support front of vehicle on jack stands for better access
5. Remove engine splash shield/skid plate if equipped
6. Photograph or diagram serpentine belt routing for reinstallation reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt
   Locate the belt tensioner on the right side of the engine. Using a 1/2 inch breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, rotate the tensioner clockwise to release tension. Slide the belt off the pulleys and carefully release tensioner. Remove belt from engine bay. Inspect belt for cracks, glazing, or fraying - replace if questionable.
2. 2

   Remove cooling fan assembly (if needed for access)
   On some configurations, removing the cooling fan shroud and fan assembly provides better access. Remove the four fan shroud mounting bolts and lift the fan/shroud assembly out as a unit. Set aside in a safe location.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts59 Nm (44 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove accessory pulley bolts
   The harmonic balancer has four accessory drive pulley bolts that must be removed first. Using a socket, remove the four pulley mounting bolts. These are separate from the center crankshaft bolt. Keep these bolts organized for reinstallation.
4. 4

   Lock crankshaft rotation
   The crankshaft must be prevented from rotating to remove the center bolt. Use a crankshaft holding tool installed on the balancer, or have an assistant apply the parking brake and place transmission in gear (manual) or Park (automatic) while applying firm pressure with a long breaker bar on the bolt. An impact wrench is the preferred method and eliminates need for holding.
   ⚠Do not use starter motor to hold crankshaft - damage to starter or flywheel will result
5. 5

   Remove harmonic balancer center bolt
   Using a large socket (typically 21mm or 22mm), remove the crankshaft center bolt. This bolt is very tight at 133 lb-ft. If using manual tools, ensure the crankshaft is properly secured. An impact wrench makes this significantly easier. Remove the bolt and any washer present. Discard the bolt as it is torque-to-yield.
   ℹ️This bolt is extremely tight and may require significant force or impact wrench to break free
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Install harmonic balancer puller
   Thread a three-jaw harmonic balancer puller onto the balancer using the accessory pulley bolt holes or the outer edge of the balancer. Ensure the puller center bolt contacts the crankshaft snout squarely. DO NOT allow the puller to contact the threads inside the crankshaft. Tighten the puller center bolt gradually and evenly to extract the balancer from the crankshaft.
   ⚠️Never pry behind the balancer or strike it with a hammer - this will damage the internal rubber damper component
7. 7

   Inspect crankshaft and balancer
   Once removed, inspect the crankshaft snout for scoring, burrs, or damage. Check the keyway for damage. Inspect the old balancer for rubber deterioration, wobble, or separation. Clean the crankshaft snout thoroughly with a clean rag and brake cleaner. Ensure the woodruff key is present and properly seated in the crankshaft keyway.
   ⚠Any burrs or damage on the crankshaft snout must be carefully removed with emery cloth or the new balancer will not seat properly
8. 8

   Prepare new harmonic balancer
   Verify the new balancer matches the old unit exactly. Lightly coat the crankshaft snout and inner bore of the balancer with clean engine oil. Verify the balancer keyway aligns with the crankshaft woodruff key. Do not apply thread locker to the crankshaft bolt.
9. 9

   Install harmonic balancer
   Align the balancer keyway with the crankshaft key and slide the balancer onto the snout by hand as far as possible. Install the harmonic balancer installation tool (threaded installer tool) and draw the balancer onto the crankshaft evenly. Continue threading until the balancer is fully seated flush against the crankshaft timing gear. Remove the installation tool.
   ⚠️Never hammer or drive the balancer onto the crankshaft - use only the proper installation tool to prevent damper damage
   ℹ️The balancer should slide on easily with light resistance - if excessive force is required, stop and inspect for misalignment or obstruction
10. 10

    Install new crankshaft bolt
    Install the NEW harmonic balancer bolt with any washer. Hand-thread the bolt to ensure proper thread engagement. Using the same crankshaft holding method from removal, torque the bolt to 133 lb-ft (180 Nm). An impact wrench can be used to achieve this specification. Verify the balancer is fully seated and does not have any gap between it and the timing cover.
    ⚠Only use a NEW bolt - the original TTY bolt cannot be reused and will not provide proper clamping force
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install accessory pulley
    Position the accessory drive pulley onto the harmonic balancer, aligning the bolt holes. Install the four mounting bolts and tighten in a cross pattern to ensure even seating. Torque to specification if provided, or tighten securely (typically 25-35 lb-ft for these bolts).
12. 12

    Reinstall serpentine belt
    Route the serpentine belt according to the diagram photographed earlier or the underhood routing diagram. Rotate the tensioner clockwise with a breaker bar and slip the belt onto the final pulley (typically the tensioner pulley). Carefully release the tensioner onto the belt. Verify the belt is properly seated in all pulley grooves.
13. 13

    Reinstall cooling fan assembly
    If removed, carefully lower the fan and shroud assembly back into position. Install the mounting bolts and torque appropriately. Ensure no wiring or hoses are pinched behind the fan shroud.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts59 Nm (44 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine splash shield or skid plate
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Reconnect negative battery cable
4. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay
5. Double-check serpentine belt routing and tension

Verification

• Start the engine and verify no unusual vibrations at idle or during rev-up
• Observe the harmonic balancer during operation to ensure it runs true without wobble
• Check for proper serpentine belt operation - belt should track smoothly on all pulleys without slipping or squealing
• Listen for any abnormal noises from the front of the engine
• After first 100 miles, re-check harmonic balancer bolt torque if accessible (optional but recommended)
• Monitor for any vibration during highway driving that would indicate balancer issue

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