This procedure covers removal and replacement of the harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L turbocharged engine, including serpentine belt removal and crankshaft positioning.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley assembly × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Crankshaft pulley bolt (if TTY) × 1 — Verify if torque-to-yield and replace if necessary
• Serpentine belt (if damaged or worn) × 1 — Inspect before reinstallation

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and secure away from battery post
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands
4. Remove right front wheel to access engine compartment from wheel well
5. Remove plastic engine undercover/splash shield using 10mm socket
6. Remove right front inner fender liner clips and fasteners for better access to crankshaft pulley area

Procedure

1. 1

   Document and remove serpentine belt
   Take a clear photo of the serpentine belt routing for reference. Using a 14mm socket on the belt tensioner, rotate tensioner clockwise to release tension and slide the belt off the pulleys. Slowly release the tensioner. Inspect belt for cracks, glazing, or excessive wear.
2. 2

   Remove accessory drive components if necessary
   Depending on workspace access, you may need to remove the engine mount brace or move components aside. Remove mounting bolts securing any brackets that obstruct access to the crankshaft pulley area.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Position vehicle in gear to prevent crankshaft rotation
   For manual transmission, place transmission in 5th or 6th gear. For automatic transmission, you will need to use a crankshaft holding tool or strap wrench around the pulley. This prevents the crankshaft from rotating when loosening the bolt.
   ⚠Never use the starter motor to prevent rotation - this can cause severe damage.
4. 4

   Remove crankshaft pulley bolt
   Using a breaker bar or impact wrench with 19mm socket, loosen and remove the crankshaft pulley bolt. This bolt is very tight (180 Nm) and may require significant force or an impact tool. Turn counterclockwise to remove. Keep the bolt for inspection to determine if it is torque-to-yield.
   ⚠️Ensure crankshaft holding method is secure. Sudden rotation can cause injury or damage.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove harmonic balancer using puller
   Install a proper harmonic balancer puller onto the pulley hub. DO NOT use a gear puller that grips the outer ring, as this will damage the balancer. Thread the puller center bolt into the crankshaft and tighten gradually while supporting the balancer. The balancer should pull off smoothly. If resistance is excessive, apply penetrating oil and wait 15 minutes before continuing.
   ⚠️Never strike the harmonic balancer with a hammer or use excessive prying force. This can damage the crankshaft snout or timing components.
6. 6

   Inspect crankshaft and keyway
   With the balancer removed, inspect the crankshaft snout for damage, scoring, or wear. Check that the Woodruff key (if equipped) is in place and not damaged. Inspect the crankshaft seal for leaks. Clean the crankshaft snout and balancer bore with brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
7. 7

   Prepare new harmonic balancer
   Inspect the new harmonic balancer for any shipping damage. Clean the bore of the balancer. Verify the Woodruff key is properly seated in the crankshaft keyway groove. Apply a thin coat of clean engine oil to the crankshaft snout (do not use anti-seize on the bolt threads unless specified by manufacturer).
8. 8

   Install harmonic balancer
   Align the keyway slot in the harmonic balancer with the Woodruff key on the crankshaft. Slide the balancer onto the crankshaft snout by hand as far as possible. Use the crankshaft bolt to draw the balancer fully onto the shaft - thread it in by hand and tighten gradually, ensuring the balancer seats evenly and completely against the crankshaft shoulder.
   ⚠Do not drive the balancer on with a hammer. Use only the bolt to draw it into position.
9. 9

   Torque crankshaft pulley bolt
   If the bolt is torque-to-yield, install the NEW bolt. Apply thread locker if specified by manufacturer. Using the crankshaft holding method, torque the crankshaft pulley bolt to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) using a calibrated torque wrench. If TTY specifications call for additional angle rotation, use an angle gauge and follow the service manual procedure exactly.
   ⚠Verify with Honda service manual if this bolt requires angle torque method after initial torque specification.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall accessory components and serpentine belt
    Reinstall any brackets or mounting hardware removed earlier, torquing mounting bolts to specification. Route the serpentine belt according to your reference photo or the diagram under the hood. Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise and slip the belt over the final pulley, then slowly release the tensioner to apply proper tension.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall right front inner fender liner and secure all clips and fasteners
2. Reinstall plastic engine undercover/splash shield using 10mm fasteners
3. Reinstall right front wheel and torque lug nuts to Honda specification (108 Nm / 80 lb-ft)
4. Lower vehicle from jack stands to ground
5. Reconnect negative battery terminal and tighten securely

Verification

• Start the engine and verify no unusual vibrations or noises from the crankshaft pulley area
• Observe serpentine belt operation - it should run smoothly on all pulleys without slipping or squealing
• Verify all accessories (alternator, A/C compressor, water pump) are operating normally
• Check for any oil leaks around the front crankshaft seal after running the engine
• After first 50-100 miles, re-inspect crankshaft pulley bolt tightness and serpentine belt condition

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