Crankshaft Pulleys (TVD)

What is a crankshaft pulley?

The primary function of a crankshaft pulley is to provide drive for all of the accessories in the vehicle such as power steering, alternator, air conditioning etc. The drive belt connects the crankshaft pulley to the accessories so that rotational drive can be transferred.

Many modern crankshaft pulleys have a damper which helps to remove vibrations from the engine which can be transferred down the drive belt and damage the attached accessories.

Crankshaft pulleys can be referred to by a few different names as follows:

• Torsional vibration dampers (TVD)

• Damper pulley

• Vibration damper

What comes with a crankshaft pulley?

Crankshaft pulleys are often sold as a stand alone part. Some brands offer a crankshaft pulley bolt together with the pulley. If this is the case it is shown on the stock photos or listed in the parts information notes.

The pulley bolt is likely a stretch bolt. It is recommended that once a stretch bolt has been removed that it is replaced with a new one.

Some brands will recommend the part number of the pulley bolt they recommend to use.

How do I choose the correct crankshaft pulley?

As with most car parts the best way to choose the correct replacement part is to obtain the original (OE) part number and search for parts that match. Our website offers an OE part number search that will help you find the exact matching part.

If you are not able to obtain the original part number then here are some factors to note:

• Number of grooves on the pulley

• Diameter of the pulley

• Engine code

• Vehicle manufacture date (this is not the date the vehicle was registered but the date it was made)

• Engine number sequence (up to or after as specific number/letter)

• VIN (chassis number) sequence (up to or after as specific number/letter)

What brand of crankshaft pulley should I choose?

Crankshaft pulleys are precision engineered parts. As such the research and development on them can be very expensive. This restricts the number of brands available however this does mean that the quality of these parts is high.

The choice of part is largely dependent on the availability of the correct part and one that fits your budget.

How can I tell my crankshaft pulley needs replacing?

If you are not sure which part of your belt drive is faulty we’d always recommend that you have a qualified mechanic diagnose the issue.

Here are some symptoms of a faulty crankshaft pulley:

• Vibration from the engine

• Battery light is illuminated (belt is not driving the alternator)

• Hard to steer (belt is not driving the power steering pump)

• A/C does not function (belt is not driving the A/C compressor)

• Drive belt has become damaged

• Belt tensioner does not function properly despite not being faulty