Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Crankshafts & Dampers
What crankshaft and damper components does Highway and Heavy Parts offer?
Highway and Heavy Parts carries a comprehensive selection of crankshaft and vibration damper components for all major diesel engines including complete crankshaft assemblies (new and remanufactured) manufactured from forged steel, vibration dampers and harmonic balancers in both viscous and rubber styles, crankshaft damper kits with all necessary components for installation, replacement parts for various engines from Cummins ISX, N14, and ISC to Caterpillar C15, 3406E, and C16, Detroit Diesel DD13, DD15, DD16, and Series 60, plus Mack, Volvo, and International/Navistar applications. All parts are manufactured in ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities ensuring OEM-spec quality and reliability.
What are the symptoms of a failing crankshaft or vibration damper?
Common signs of crankshaft or damper failure include difficulty starting the engine or extended cranking times, excessive vibration throughout the engine and cab, especially at idle or under load, misfiring or rough engine operation indicating timing issues, visible physical damage such as dents, weld cracks, or housing bulge on the damper, leaking fluid from viscous dampers, unusual noises including knocking or rattling from the front of the engine, and accessory drive belt wear or misalignment. If you experience any of these symptoms, inspect your crankshaft and damper immediately as continued operation can cause catastrophic damage to the camshaft, accessory gears, and engine block.
Why is replacing the vibration damper critical during engine rebuilds?
Failure to replace the damper during engine rebuilds often leads to premature crankshaft, camshaft, and accessory gear damage. The vibration damper absorbs torsional vibrations created by the firing impulses of the engine’s cylinders, which cause the crankshaft to twist and untwist thousands of times per minute. Over time, the damper’s rubber element deteriorates or viscous fluid breaks down, reducing its ability to absorb these vibrations. When a worn damper is paired with a new or rebuilt crankshaft, the uncontrolled torsional vibrations accelerate wear on expensive internal components, potentially destroying your rebuild investment within months rather than lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles.
How often should I replace my diesel engine vibration damper?
Most manufacturers recommend replacing vibration dampers around every 500,000 miles or at rebuild, regardless of visual condition. Even if the damper looks fine externally, the internal rubber element or viscous fluid degrades over time and mileage, reducing its effectiveness at controlling torsional vibrations. For heavy-duty diesel engines operating in demanding commercial applications like over-the-road trucking, construction equipment, or agriculture, replacing the damper at the 500,000-mile service interval is critical preventive maintenance that protects your crankshaft, camshaft, and gear train from premature failure. Never assume a damper is still good based on appearance alone.
What’s the difference between viscous and rubber vibration dampers?
Viscous dampers contain a thick silicone fluid between an inner hub and outer inertia ring that absorbs torsional vibrations through fluid friction, offering superior performance in heavy-duty diesel engines with high torsional vibration and providing consistent damping across a wide temperature range. Rubber dampers use a molded rubber element bonded between the hub and outer ring to absorb vibrations, typically found in lighter-duty applications and generally less expensive than viscous dampers. For heavy-duty diesel engines per manufacturer recommendations, especially those with high torsional vibration, you should use viscous dampers. Premium alternatives like Vibratech or Fluidampr dampers offer enhanced durability for extreme applications.
Should I choose a new or remanufactured crankshaft?
New crankshafts offer brand-new forged steel construction with no previous wear history, precision machining to OEM specifications, maximum reliability and service life expectancy, and no core charge requirements, making them ideal for critical applications where dependable operation is essential and long-term performance matters most. Remanufactured crankshafts provide professionally rebuilt cores that undergo magnafluxing for crack detection, precision grinding to restore bearing surfaces, straightening and polishing for proper alignment, and significantly lower cost with core exchange programs available, making them suitable for budget-conscious repairs where quality remanufacturing meets performance requirements. Both options from HHP meet or exceed OEM specifications.
What damper inspection points indicate replacement is needed?
Inspect your vibration damper for physical condition issues including dents or impact damage to the outer ring or housing, weld cracks around the hub or mounting surface indicating structural failure, housing bulge suggesting internal component separation or failure, fluid leaks from viscous dampers indicating seal failure and fluid loss, rubber cracking, separation, or deterioration in rubber-style dampers, and excessive wobble or runout when spinning the crankshaft by hand. Even without visible damage, replace dampers at 500,000-mile intervals or during engine rebuilds as internal deterioration occurs regardless of external appearance.
What support does HHP provide for crankshaft and damper selection?
Highway and Heavy Parts employs ASE-certified diesel technicians who provide expert technical support for crankshaft and damper parts including diagnostic assistance to identify failing components and root causes, compatibility verification using your engine serial number and CPL specifications, installation guidance with proper torque specifications and timing procedures, damper type recommendations ensuring you use viscous dampers where required by manufacturer, and post-installation troubleshooting support if issues arise. Orders placed by 2PM EST ship same day Monday through Friday from HHP’s Coleman, Michigan facility stocking over 250,000 diesel parts. All components are backed by warranty coverage ranging from 90 days on remanufactured parts to 1-year on new parts.
