Nashua_Night_Hawk

As you know, I had Sechduled to install the UR Pulleys at the Mechanics Direct in Lowell, MA. (www.mechanicsdirect.com).

This shop was recommended by MikeS 18.

The installation was scheduled for Thursday, August 15th 2002 at 8:00 AM. Estimated cost was $90-$120 at $59.99/Hr. Acutal Cost was only $104.95.

I arrived at the Mechanics Direct few minutes short of 8:00 AM:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/MechanicsDirect.jpg


Recently mechanics direct added Hi-Perfornamce aftermarket shop, so they added a new banner for their Mechanics Direct Racing Group:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/M...acingGroup.jpg

When I arrived, the waiting room was still closed, but the service bay was open. so, I had a peek. Tthere, I met the General Manager, Mr. Mitchell Smith who actual did the initial paper work:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/MitchathisDesk.jpg

Then, I was courteously asked to wait in the super large waiting area.

At 8:17 AM, the Mechanics, Mark, came out, checked out my ride and drove my CLS into the service bay.

The waiting was not that boring... in fact, I was spending my time browsing the aftermarlt performace parts:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/M...mamceParts.jpg


However, I could not spend too much time in the waiting area. So, I decided go back to watch what is happening to my Night Hawk. I sneaked back and found my CLS like this:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/MyCL-SEngineBay.jpg


Then, I found the Mechanic, Mark, (a nice guy) was working his butt on my CL-S, It was damn hot and humind morning:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/MechMarkatWork.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/MechMarkWorking.jpg

So, I asked him to pose for his "mag shot" (notice how much he was dripping!!):


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/TheMechMark.jpg

Then, I snaped few shots of the work-on-progress:

Here is the UR Crank Pulley being installed:

Note: The lower mud guard removed:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/W...ardRemoved.jpg

UR Crank Pulley close-ups:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...nstallated.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...alledView2.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...edbestView.jpg

Similaly, here are few pictures of the UR PS Pulley being installed:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...dStillView.jpg

Also, note here that the engine mount is off:


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...neMountoff.jpg

And, a picture of the Alt Pulley being installed:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...dStillView.jpg

Finally, I let Mark finish his job and went back to the waiting room.

By 9:30 AM, Mr. Mitch came by and wanted to kindly lecturing me about Honda's Crank Pulleys the need and purpose of theTVD.I went along and listened to his lecture. Then, we talked about Acura-CL.com and this article.

Here is the general manager lecturing about the TVD:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/M...ngaboutTVD.jpg

Here is the famous Honda's Pulley with the TVD:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/L...leywithTVD.jpg

By 10:00 AM, the wok on my CLS was done. Final paper work was done, Paid by VISA, and it was time for some snap-shots of UR Pulleys in motion:

Crank Pulley in Motion:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...231640x480.jpg

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...Motion%232.jpg

The UR PS Pulley in motion:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...Motion%231.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...Motion%232.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...Motion%233.jpg


http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/U...Motion%234.jpg

All in all, I was very satisfied with my experience at the Mechanics Direct. Very recommended.

Finally, to reward my CL-S, it got a nice hand wash:
http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/CL-SgotWashed.jpg
http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/C...edDryingup.jpg
http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/C...reVacuming.jpg
http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/C...edWideshot.jpg
http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/C...ceandClean.jpg

There is part II of this review, where I campare UR Pulleys to the Stock Pulleys. Stay tuned.

mattg

so what the hell did he have to say about the need for the tvd

i'm sure you've made shawn proud with this post. pic whore in training, you are

Titand19

looks good, can you feel a difference? I'm going to UR sometime next week to get my Alt pulley put on. Can't wait to have the final link installed.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

Okay...
The Story of OEM Pulley with TVD is this:
1) Honda is very frugal company, no cent is wasted and if TVD is not needed, why pay or it?
2) TVD is needed for 2 reasons:
2-a) It reduces cabin noise and vibrations
2-b) more importantly, it reduces the vibrations on the crank shaft.
3) the lack of a TVD may result in a cracked crank shaft.

What I had to say is this:
a) UR claims that the lack of TVD does not result in cracked crank shaft as their Pulley is lighter and balanced.
b) I have a 6-yrs/100,000k miles of extended warranty.


Yeah... I had more pics to post, I felt that this is enough for a single post....but, wait, there is part II

As if I feel anything, no added vibrations... It feels smoother.

Tomorow, I will be competing at the NED Import wars . We will see how much my 1/4 mile time would drop.

Samer007

I actually feel more vibration on the steering wheel when going 70+ .

I do feel faster response after the install. I took a before and after video of the RPM vs Speed gage to see if there is a different. Does anyone know where I can host them ?

scalbert

Drop me a PM and I can take care of that for you...

scalbert

Nice write up Nashua. I am curious based on the non-published pics it appears that the stock pulley did not have a TVD in it, or was this meant for Part II??

BTW, thanks for the props on the image hosting...JK

Shawn S

Jesus Christ !!!!
A HALF HOUR and about TEN redraw commands later and I finally have all the photos showing.

Even I am not THAT bad.

Great report though.

Shawn S

PS....Dial-up BLOWS !!!!!!!

Nex

So basically, he wasn't recommending the UR pulleys?

Zapata

YEah, get with the UR pulley updates!!!!

Nex

I don't recall anyone coming up with a conclusion saying whether or not the UR crank pulleys were good or bad. Correct me if I"m wrong though. Also, I don't recall Mr. Mitch ever putting his comments into those discussions.

mattg

i'd say they're good in a bad way

Scrib

scalbert

Sorry Nashua, couldn't wait to discuss this. As per the below pics, it looks like there is no TVD in the stock pullies:

soopa

they sure are sexy looking.


are the UR guys still on this forum??

scalbert

BTW, there has been a slight redesign for the '03. There us a hole on the inner fender well with perforations that allow access to the crank pulley bolt. Plus being a manual the swap shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

mattg

sorry, but that pulley does have rubber content.

scalbert

Understand that I am not debating, but from what I can see from the pics there is no rubber or fluid container. Can you please point out where the rubber or similar band is in the stock pulley pics...

mattg

ok, the second pic of the pulley you posted. the ring that runs around the face of the pulley, approx 1" in. that ring is full of rubber. have nashau stick his fingernails or a screwdriver in it. also, moving from the face to the center hole, that first surface you see, 90 degrees to the face is also coated w/ rubber.

JRock

Duh. Every experienced person I've talked to online and in real life has said sure you can put them on but in the long run they'll probably screw something up.

Not only that but what good does Nashua's extended warranty do him when it's his silly aftermarket part that caused failure (if he tried to bring it in as warranty work)?

scalbert

I'll check again tonight, but I was under the car yesterday and the face seemed to be entirely metal. It is easy to get access to it on the '03, there is an access hole in the inner fender well to it.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

All the appreciation and gratitudes goes for Scalbert for his kind hostong of all those pictures ,70+!!

Thanks.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

Yeah, that was meant for Part II...

The stock OEM Crank Pulley has a TVD... Check the hi-res-versions:

Here is the stock Pulley:

http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/F...rankPulley.jpg



http://www.flwse.com/images/nashua/B...ulleyrusty.jpg

Nashua_Night_Hawk

It is the same on 01' CLS.. I prefer to drop the mud guard then cut those perforations!

scalbert

I assume then that it is 'contained' within the pulley's metal case where the rubber ring is not fully exposed??

scalbert

Hrmmm?? It looks by the following pics that the pulley bolt is not visible from the side. On my '03 I can see the bolt head from the same angle as below.

In fact, I was able to put a 19mm socket on it while using an impact gun just to see...

Nashua_Night_Hawk

Just look at the first picture.When you look at the center you see a kind of cresent. It's the 1" thick rubber. From top, it is covered with metal plate. So you think it is metal. However, Between that top plate and down to the bolt hole, there is 1" thcik rubber.

I just went and scratched that ring with knife and it is indeed rubber.

Nashua_Night_Hawk

looking from the side... maybe this is a better view: