This procedure covers removal and replacement of the harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) on the 2018-2024 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 engine, including accessory drive belt removal and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft pulley bolt (if TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification - verify if reusable

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Raise front of vehicle and secure on jack stands
4. Remove right front wheel for improved access
5. Remove plastic undercover/splash shield beneath engine using 10mm and push clips
6. Verify engine is completely cool to touch

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove accessory drive belt
   Locate the serpentine belt tensioner on the right side of the engine. Using a 14mm socket and ratchet on the tensioner pulley bolt, rotate the tensioner counterclockwise to release belt tension. Slip the belt off the pulleys and slowly release tensioner. Remove belt from engine bay. Note the belt routing diagram on the radiator support for reinstallation.
2. 2

   Access crankshaft pulley bolt
   From beneath the vehicle, identify the large crankshaft pulley at the bottom center of the engine. Clean the area around the pulley bolt to prevent debris from entering the engine. The pulley bolt is a 19mm head and requires significant torque to remove.
3. 3

   Prevent crankshaft rotation
   The crankshaft must be held stationary during bolt removal. Install a crankshaft holding tool or flywheel lock through the starter motor opening or bell housing access. Alternatively, if working alone, you may carefully use a breaker bar wedged against the ground and a solid frame component, but this method requires extreme caution to prevent engine damage.
   ⚠Do not attempt to hold crankshaft by placing vehicle in gear alone, as this can damage transmission components.
4. 4

   Remove crankshaft pulley bolt
   Using a 19mm socket with breaker bar or impact wrench, remove the crankshaft pulley bolt by rotating counterclockwise. This bolt is very tight (180 Nm) and may require significant force. An impact wrench is recommended for removal. Once loose, remove bolt completely and retain for inspection.
   ℹ️Inspect removed bolt for stretching or damage. Check service manual to determine if this is a TTY bolt requiring replacement.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove harmonic balancer
   With the bolt removed, grasp the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley firmly and pull straight off the crankshaft snout. The balancer should slide off with moderate hand pressure. If stuck, do NOT pry against the engine block. Use a harmonic balancer puller tool threaded into the center hole, pulling evenly to avoid damaging the crankshaft or timing components.
   ⚠Never strike the harmonic balancer with a hammer or pry against engine block, as this can damage the crankshaft seal or timing chain components.
6. 6

   Inspect components
   Inspect the crankshaft snout for damage, burrs, or scoring. Check the front crankshaft seal for oil leakage (this is accessible with balancer removed). Examine the old harmonic balancer for rubber deterioration, cracks, or separation of the outer ring from inner hub. Clean the crankshaft snout with a wire brush or clean cloth, removing any rust or debris.
7. 7

   Prepare new harmonic balancer
   Verify the new harmonic balancer matches the original in size and keyway orientation. Lightly coat the crankshaft snout with clean engine oil or a thin layer of anti-seize compound. Align the keyway in the balancer with the key on the crankshaft snout.
8. 8

   Install harmonic balancer
   Carefully slide the new harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft snout, ensuring the keyway remains aligned. Push the balancer on as far as possible by hand. Do not hammer the balancer onto the shaft. The balancer will be fully seated when the crankshaft pulley bolt is torqued.
9. 9

   Install and torque crankshaft pulley bolt
   Install the crankshaft pulley bolt (new bolt if TTY type as verified in service manual). Thread bolt in by hand to ensure proper engagement. Using the crankshaft holding method from step 3, torque the bolt to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) using a calibrated torque wrench. If bolt is TTY, follow additional angle specifications from service manual if required. An impact wrench may be used to achieve final torque.
   ⚠️Verify torque specification and TTY requirements with factory service manual. Under-torquing can cause balancer to loosen and destroy engine components.
   Torque spec

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

    Reinstall accessory drive belt
    Route the accessory drive belt around all pulleys according to the belt routing diagram. Using a 14mm socket on the tensioner, rotate counterclockwise to create slack, slip the belt onto the final pulley, and slowly release the tensioner to apply proper belt tension. Verify belt is properly seated in all pulley grooves.
11. 11

    Reinstall undercover and wheel
    Reinstall the engine undercover/splash shield and secure with all clips and 10mm bolts. Reinstall the right front wheel and torque lug nuts to specification. Lower vehicle from jack stands.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect negative battery terminal
2. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay
3. Check that accessory drive belt is properly tensioned and seated on all pulleys

Verification

• Start engine and verify no unusual noises or vibrations from crankshaft pulley area
• Observe accessory drive belt operation to ensure proper tracking on all pulleys
• Check for oil leaks around front crankshaft seal area
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify smooth operation at idle and during acceleration
• Re-check crankshaft pulley bolt torque after initial test drive if possible

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