This procedure covers removal and installation of the harmonic balancer (crankshaft damper) on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring removal of the radiator and accessory drive system.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Harmonic balancer/crankshaft damper × 1 — Motorcraft DG-511 or equivalent
• Harmonic balancer bolt (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine coolant × 1 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant
• Front crankshaft seal (recommended) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 4 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cool to the touch
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands
4. Remove engine splash shield/under tray
5. Place drain pan under radiator and drain coolant from petcock
6. Photograph or diagram serpentine belt routing for reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt and accessories
   Using a serpentine belt tool or breaker bar, rotate the tensioner clockwise to release tension and remove the serpentine belt. Remove the belt from all pulleys and set aside. If necessary for clearance, remove the engine cooling fan assembly by disconnecting the electrical connector and removing the mounting bolts.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

   Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect upper radiator hose
   Loosen the hose clamp on the upper radiator hose at the engine side. Twist and pull the hose off the thermostat housing connection. Have a drain pan ready as residual coolant will drain out.
   ⚠Coolant may still be warm. Wear protective gloves when handling hoses.
3. 3

   Remove radiator support brackets and repositioning radiator
   Remove the upper radiator mounting bolts and support brackets. Carefully tilt the radiator back toward the engine to provide clearance for harmonic balancer removal. You may need to disconnect transmission cooler lines if equipped. Support the radiator to prevent it from falling forward.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove crankshaft position sensor
   Locate the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor on the front timing cover near the harmonic balancer. Disconnect the electrical connector, then remove the sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor. Inspect the sensor O-ring for damage.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove crankshaft pulley
   Remove the four bolts securing the crankshaft pulley to the harmonic balancer. The pulley is the outermost component with multiple grooves for the serpentine belt. Remove the pulley and set aside.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove harmonic balancer center bolt
   Using a crankshaft holding tool or having an assistant hold the crankshaft from turning with a large pry bar against a flexplate/flywheel tooth, use a breaker bar or impact wrench to remove the harmonic balancer center bolt (turns counter-clockwise). This bolt is very tight at 180 Nm. Remove the bolt completely and discard - it is a TTY bolt and must be replaced.
   ⚠Do not attempt to hold crankshaft by preventing pulley rotation - this can damage components. Secure at flywheel/flexplate only.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove harmonic balancer
   Install a proper harmonic balancer puller onto the balancer. Do not use a jaw-type puller that grips the outer edge as this can damage the balancer. Thread the puller center bolt into the crankshaft threads and tighten gradually to pull the balancer off the crankshaft snout. The balancer is press-fit and may require significant force. Once free, remove the balancer and puller.
   ⚠️Never strike the harmonic balancer with a hammer or use a traditional gear puller on the outer ring. This will destroy the balancer and can cause it to separate during engine operation, leading to catastrophic failure.
8. 8

   Inspect crankshaft and front seal
   With the balancer removed, inspect the crankshaft snout for scoring, burrs, or damage. Check the Woodruff key (half-moon key) in the crankshaft keyway - it should be tight and undamaged. Inspect the front crankshaft seal for leakage. If the seal shows any seepage or the vehicle has high mileage, now is the ideal time to replace it by prying it out carefully and installing a new one with a seal driver.
   ℹ️Clean the crankshaft snout thoroughly with degreaser and inspect for any damage that could prevent proper balancer installation.
9. 9

   Prepare new harmonic balancer
   Clean the new harmonic balancer bore and confirm the Woodruff key slot is properly aligned. Lightly coat the crankshaft snout and inside bore of the balancer with clean engine oil. Align the balancer keyway with the Woodruff key on the crankshaft.
   ℹ️Verify the replacement balancer matches the original in all dimensions and weight. Using an incorrect balancer will cause severe engine vibration.
10. 10

    Install harmonic balancer
    Using a harmonic balancer installation tool (threaded rod with appropriate adapters and washers), carefully draw the balancer onto the crankshaft snout. Tighten the installer tool gradually, ensuring the balancer slides on straight and seats fully against the timing chain cover. Do not use the center bolt to draw the balancer on. The balancer should slide on smoothly - if excessive force is required, stop and verify alignment. Once fully seated, remove the installer tool.
    ⚠️Never hammer the balancer onto the crankshaft. Never use the center bolt to pull the balancer into position. Either method can damage the balancer internally, causing immediate or delayed failure.
11. 11

    Install new harmonic balancer bolt
    Install the NEW harmonic balancer center bolt (the old TTY bolt must not be reused). Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the bolt threads and underside of the bolt head. Hand-thread the bolt into the crankshaft. Using the same holding method as removal, torque the bolt to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft). Verify the bolt is fully tightened.
    ⚠This is a critical fastener. Ensure proper torque is achieved. Some applications may require an additional angle specification - verify with Ford service information.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall crankshaft pulley
    Position the crankshaft pulley onto the harmonic balancer, aligning all bolt holes. Install the four pulley bolts and torque to specification. Ensure the pulley is seated flush against the balancer face.
    Torque spec

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall crankshaft position sensor
    Inspect the CKP sensor O-ring and replace if damaged. Insert the sensor into the timing cover bore and install the mounting bolt. Torque the sensor bolt to 14 Nm (10 lb-ft). Reconnect the electrical connector, ensuring it clicks securely into place.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall radiator and cooling system
    Reposition the radiator to its normal location and install the upper mounting brackets and bolts. Torque mounting bolts to 60 Nm (44 lb-ft). Reconnect the upper radiator hose and secure with the hose clamp. If removed, reinstall the cooling fan assembly and reconnect the electrical connector.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall serpentine belt and refill coolant
    Route the serpentine belt according to the diagram or photo taken during disassembly. Use a belt tool to rotate the tensioner and slip the belt over the final pulley. Release the tensioner to apply proper tension. Refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to the proper level. Close the radiator drain petcock. Reinstall the engine splash shield and lower the vehicle.
    ℹ️After refilling coolant, the system will need to be burped of air. Run the engine to operating temperature with the radiator cap off (when safe) and add coolant as air escapes.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the negative battery cable
2. Double-check all fasteners for proper torque and installation
3. Verify serpentine belt is properly seated on all pulleys and routing is correct
4. Check coolant level in overflow reservoir and top off as needed

Verification

• Start the engine and verify no abnormal vibration at idle or during acceleration
• Check for coolant leaks around hose connections and radiator
• Verify no check engine light for crankshaft position sensor codes (P0335, P0336, P0339)
• Listen for proper serpentine belt operation with no squealing or slipping
• Verify harmonic balancer rotates smoothly without wobble or unusual noise
• After initial test drive, recheck harmonic balancer bolt torque and coolant level

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