Harmonic balancers, also known as dampeners, are a vital, little-known part in your Ford. They remove unwanted vibrations from the crankshaft—but they’re notoriously difficult to remove. Breaker bars, drills, and other tools often don’t work on the dampener bolt, so you’ll likely need an impact wrench to take it out.
Unfortunately, impact wrenches will usually cost around $50—even at cost-effective shops like Walmart or Harbor freight. Ask around to see if you can borrow one before you buy it.
Once you have the impact wrench:
If you’d like to stay covered for mechanical issues in the future, consider buying a mechanical breakdown insurance policy. While it won’t be included in standard car insurance policies, it can save you hundreds in repairs!