Thread: Ross Toughbond harmonic balancers TD5

Originally Posted by d2dave

Another question. ..................... What is this tool ................... ?

The tool is actually Mario ,......... sorry Mars just kidding .

Here's my version of the one described on the D2 UK website



It is used to hold the crankshaft still when doing/undoing the bloody great big bolt that holds the harmonic balancer/damper on.

Whilst it's possible to undo the bolt with a breaker bar wedged to the chassis rail (though it can be a bit of a frightening experience) if you're going to do the bolt up to its correct tension and not just a 'she'll be right' with an air gun I don't know how else you could hold the crankshaft still if you didn't use this tool. Especially with an automatic transmission.



If you need to borrow mine let me know so I can get it around to Mars and he can send it up with your new balancer.


Deano

Deano.

Can anyone tell me why these things are so bloody expensive......there's really nothing special in their manufacture......I'm on my third one in about 300k

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

Can anyone tell me why these things are so bloody expensive......there's really nothing special in their manufacture......I'm on my third one in about 300k

Are you on your third Ross Toughbond or are you fitting Brit Parts?

I was having a beer with "crash" last night and I asked about his balancer as he purchased his D2 new. It now has over 300,000 on the dial and still has the original balancer on it.

we stopped using the rover tool for holding the pulley as it can damage the pulley, we even had one break while tightening it. this may also be why they don't last too long. we use the timing hole in the bell housing but use a bolt with a tapered end rather than the timing tool (the thread is quite common on rover suspension bolts)

They're expensive (the Ross ones) because they are (were? don't know about the new owners) very well made. The original owner, Ross Clothier had been working specifically on balancers for some 40 years. The current evolution in design is all down to his knowledge acquired over this time and the fact that his balancers & pulleys hold together at 18,000rpm+ on some of my engines where I wouldn't consider a OEM product is good testimony to that. Plus I've been using his parts for 30 years and my father since he started and have never had a failure.

So how are the Ross harmonic items going? Are they lasting?

Year on and going strong. Dont expect any issues to be honest. Its built tough.

My balancer has **** itself. New Ross balancer ordered. Hopefully arrive tomorrow.