Balance Shaft Backlash

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SPECIAL TOOLS

	Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture 100-002 (TOOL-4201-C)
	Timing Peg, Crankshaft TDC 303-507

Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg. The engine is now at Top Dead Center (TDC).

Fig 1: Locating Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Mark the balancer unit and shafts on the top for reference that the balancer unit is at TDC.

Fig 2: Locating Balancer Unit And Shafts Reference Marking
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Due to the precision interior construction of the balancer unit, it should not be disassembled.

Fig 3: Locating Balancer Unit Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 4 bolts and the balancer unit.
Remove the adjustment shims from the seat faces of the balancer unit.

NOTE: Visually inspect the balancer unit gear for damage and verify that the shaft turns smoothly. If there is any damage or malfunction, replace the balancer unit.

Install the master adjustment shims (No. 50) on the seat faces of the balancer unit.
With the balancer unit shaft marks at the TDC position, slowly install the balancer unit to the cylinder block to avoid interference between the crankshaft drive gear and the balancer unit driven gear.

Fig 4: Locating Balancer Unit And Shafts Marking
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the balancer unit bolts.
- Tighten in the sequence shown in illustration in 2 stages.
  - Stage 1: Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
  - Stage 2: Tighten to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
    
    Fig 5: Identifying Balancer Unit Bolts Tightening Sequence
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
- Rotate the crankshaft to confirm that there are no meshing problems between the balancer unit gear and the crankshaft gear.
  
  Fig 6: Locating Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
- Remove the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
  
  Fig 7: Locating Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Measure the backlash and verify that it is within specified range at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees. It will be necessary to reset the measuring equipment between measurements.

NOTE: The measurement must be taken with the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture, a 5-mm Allen wrench and worm clamp set up as shown in illustration. Mark the Allen wrench with a file 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center. Make sure the worm clamp and Allen wrench are not touching the balance shaft housing.

NOTE: For an accurate measurement while measuring the gear backlash, insert a screwdriver as shown in illustration into the crankshaft No. 1 crankweight area and set both the rotation and the thrust direction with the screwdriver, using a prying action as shown in illustration.

Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture as shown in illustration. Measure the gear backlash.
- Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture (1) on the Allen wrench 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center (2) on the balancer unit.
- Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and measure the backlash at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees.
  
  Fig 8: Measuring Gear Backlash Using Dial Indicator Gauge
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If maximum backlash exceeds 0.120 mm (0.0047 in), install a new balancer unit.

Using the backlash measurement, select the proper shims from the Adjustment Shim Selection Table.
- Remove the balancer unit from the cylinder block.
- Install the selected adjustment shims on the seat faces of the balancer unit.
  
  Fig 9: Adjustment Shim Selection Chart
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg. The engine is now at TDC.

Fig 10: Locating Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
With the balancer unit shaft marks in the TDC position, slowly install the balancer unit to the cylinder block to avoid interference between the crankshaft drive gear and the balancer unit driven gear.

Fig 11: Locating Balancer Unit And Shafts Marking
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the balancer unit bolts.
- Tighten in the sequence shown in illustration in 2 stages.
  - Stage 1: Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
  - Stage 2: Tighten to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
    
    Fig 12: Identifying Balancer Unit Bolts Tightening Sequence
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Remeasure the backlash and verify that it is within specified range at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees. It will be necessary to reset the measuring equipment between measurements.

Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture as shown in illustration. Measure the gear backlash.
- Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture (1) on the Allen wrench 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center (2) on the balancer unit.
- Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and measure the backlash at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees.
- If the backlash exceeds the specified range of 0.020 to 0.120 mm (0.00078 to 0.0047 in), install a new balancer unit and repeat the procedure.
  
  Fig 13: Measuring Gear Backlash Using Dial Indicator Gauge
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.