The bolt that holds the harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft is basically stripped out. About the first half inch of the bolt threads. My question is if I can find another bolt, can I run a tap into the crankshaft threads and have it all still work okay? or am I going to have to replace the whole crankshaft? Its on a 95 Cavalier... Thanks in advance for any advice on this issue.

Could try to re tap the hole with the same size tap as the bolt you now have removed. Im not sure if its a good idea to use a heli coil for that bolt. I dont think id trust using one just because its holding on your cranck pulley. Im sure someone els may have some ideas.


"Straight roads are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers"-Colin McRae

Sure if you want to take that risk, but it is a huge one.

I have seen crank pullies come off, the one time was on a SUV, the pulley came off, shot forwards and right into the radiator.

You can try to retread it, depends on how bad they are damaged, if it slighty damaged you might get buy with a thread chaser and a new bolt, if it is badly damaged a helicoil might work if you could find one that would work.



- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

I was able to get the bolt threads cleaned off and it seems to go in just fine. I thank you all for your tips. I'm going to put some threadlocker on it just to be on the safe side.