As you may have guessed by the name, the crankshaft pulley works in close proximity with the crankshaft. The crankshaft takes power from the engine to move the wheels, transforming the pistons’ linear motions into rotational ones. The torque applied to the crankshaft during this process can cause a lot of stress and vibration, ultimately causing it to break or resulting in damage to other engine parts. The crank pulley, also called a harmonic damper, is in charge of dampening and absorbing these vibrations.
It is a mechanical system made of a steel or cast-iron hub and rubber fibres, which sits between the crankshaft and accessory belt. The rubber is responsible for the shock and noise absorption, and its location at the accessory belt is important for its second job: to bring power to other car components like the alternator and the power steering pump and to make sure the various parts run in unison.
While the crankshaft pulley seems like a small part of your car, it is actually quite significant and the well-being of your crankshaft and many other components depend on it.
Over time, the crankshaft pulley can wear out or even crack from old age, temperature changes, or exposure to chemicals. It is important to have the crankshaft pulley replaced before it can damage other parts of your car, which could result in more expensive repairs. This can include damage to the transmission by unabsorbed vibrations. If this continues over a longer period the bearings and gears of your car can be damaged, which is very expensive to fix.
If you notice one or more of the symptoms listed below, you should take your car to a garage nearby to have the crankshaft pulley replaced if needed.
A mechanic will check out your crankshaft pulley during your car’s service or if you notice any of the symptoms above. While you can drive with a faulty crankshaft pulley for a bit, you should take your car to a garage sooner rather than later to have it replaced. Replacing the crankshaft pulley ahead of time will potentially save you a lot of hassle and money. The cost of a crankshaft replacement is a lot more than getting a new crankshaft pulley!
While you can check the crank pulley yourself, getting to it is not easy since it must be removed completely to be inspected from both sides. For this, you will need a special crankshaft pulley tool, called a puller. In addition, a mechanic can also check the crankshaft pulley bolt. These stretch bolts can wear out over time and will need to be replaced.
The replacement cost of your pulley will depend on what kind you buy. There are generic pulleys that are less expensive, but they often lack quality. On autobutler.co.uk you can request quotes from garages near you for a crankshaft pulley replacement and compare them in your own time at home to find the perfect garage for you!
| Make | Compare and save* | You save on average* | Ratings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | £139 | 25% |
5.0
(6)
6
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| BMW | £139 | 28% |
3.5
(2)
1
0
0
1
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Citroën | £172 | 23% |
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Ford | £152 | 24% |
4.7
(10)
8
1
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Mercedes-Benz | £135 | 24% |
4.8
(4)
3
1
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Mini | £173 | 30% |
3.7
(3)
2
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
|
| Peugeot | £154 | 25% |
4.5
(8)
7
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
|
| Renault | £183 | 24% |
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Vauxhall | £138 | 25% |
5.0
(14)
14
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Volkswagen | £156 | 26% |
4.8
(8)
7
0
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
|
| Make | Save on average* | |||
|
Audi
5.0
(6)
6
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£139 / 25% | |||
|
BMW
3.5
(2)
1
0
0
1
0
Read the reviews
|
£139 / 28% | |||
|
Citroën
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£172 / 23% | |||
|
Ford
4.7
(10)
8
1
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£152 / 24% | |||
|
Mercedes-Benz
4.8
(4)
3
1
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£135 / 24% | |||
|
Mini
3.7
(3)
2
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
£173 / 30% | |||
|
Peugeot
4.5
(8)
7
0
0
0
1
Read the reviews
|
£154 / 25% | |||
|
Renault
5.0
(1)
1
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£183 / 24% | |||
|
Vauxhall
5.0
(14)
14
0
0
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£138 / 25% | |||
|
Volkswagen
4.8
(8)
7
0
1
0
0
Read the reviews
|
£156 / 26% |
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