Does anyone know what this part does?

[stezie]

as above.. just wondering why its there.. it just a piece of rubber bolted to the front subframe, doing nothing??

number 1 below

[2oodoor]

I believe that is a vibration counterweight.

[DBMaster]

^I've always heard that it's a vibration dampener, of sorts. Try running the car with it removed to see if you notice any difference.

[stezie]

As in engine vibration?

I though that was the purpose of the crank pully was for engine vibration / harmonics or whatever...

My car is in the middle of resotration at the min, so wont be runing for a while, im just curious what it does when i took it off the car.

[import racer]

I took that off my car and didn't notice any difference.So I don't know what the purpose of it is.

[POS carb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuned_mass_damper

they probably found a small rattle or vibration when they first developed the car so they just added one. I don't notice any difference with or without it. I think I need to upgrade mine to a 10 pound one to get rid of all of my vibrations

[2oodoor]

It was likely at some frequency measureable by engineers. Lots of variables as to why there is no issue without it on ther.
The real kicker is there is an aftermarket oem replacement for it!!! I saw it today under "engine mounts" at Rockauto.

[conozo]

I've wondered this myself, is it there on cars with the steering wheel on the right?

[stezie]

Seen it on rock auto aswell. if it does nothing but just sit there, how does it wear out? it shouldnt need a replacement..

yeah steering wheel is on right. the balancer is also to the right of the engine mount. (to the left as you look at it from the front)

[charliekuney]

if it does nothing but just sit there, how does it wear out?

Vibrations! Also if dirt or rocks hit it. Might not be the first thing to go, but I don't even think my car has one of those [anymore]...

[charliekuney]

Double post. Don't know how.

[stezie]

Vibrations! Also if dirt or rocks hit it. Might not be the first thing to go, but I don't even think my car has one of those [anymore]...

there no chance of dirt hitting it.. its on top of the subframe, and behind the radiator..

[Hauntd ca3]

I've wondered this myself, is it there on cars with the steering wheel on the right?

yeah, its on rhd accords.
but only for aslong as it took to undo 2 bolts holding it on

[247shuer247]

im pretty sure thats the vibration dampener of the power steering return line. I just recently took off my power steering and this was holding the line down

[charliekuney]

there no chance of dirt hitting it.. its on top of the subframe, and behind the radiator..

So that part should be perfectly clean in all of these 23+ year old cars? Cracks me up.

[gtoman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuned_mass_damper

they probably found a small rattle or vibration when they first developed the car so they just added one. I don't notice any difference with or without it. I think I need to upgrade mine to a 10 pound one to get rid of all of my vibrations

Haha! I see your 10 pounds and I raise you 10 more for my vibrations! Realy bad shocks and joints and bushings..but im working on that stuff right now.

Adam

[obdriver6]

It might not make a difference at first but it could over a long time period, just saying.

[stezie]

So that part should be perfectly clean in all of these 23+ year old cars? Cracks me up.

What exactly cracks you up? And who said it was perfectly clean? Please define what you think is perfect...

[gtoman]

[lostforawhile]

people have run them for years without that, it will be fine, and yes mud and dirt gets up there

[import racer]

I'm sure they rust out,that's why a parts store sells them.What exactly they do ,who knows.

[lostforawhile]

I'm sure they rust out,that's why a parts store sells them.What exactly they do ,who knows.

figures,parts we need we can'tget,yet everybody carries that thing and it does basically nothing