Is it normal for my harmonic balancer to be wobbling while the vehicle is running?

I have a pretty good vibration only in the front of my vehicle. Tires have been balanced, alignment done.etc No audible noises such as clunks, roars, howling.etc at all. Only vibration/shudder. I ask is a wobbling harmonic balancer normal because I know if they go bad they can cause the engine to vibrate pretty roughly. Also harmonic balancers are overlooked when mechanics go to diagnose the reason for a vibration. I happen to catch this myself while I was laying under my vehicle with a flash light. The pulley in front of the HB is not wobbling, just the HB part is wobbling. 2000 Ford Explorer AWD 5.0 V8

Added (1). Okay, so I had the harmonic balancer replaced, and it took a lot of the vibrations away, but there's still a vibration present that shouldn't be there. I put my hand on the engine while it was running/idling and the engine steady vibrates. I'm going to replace the CV axle shaft that was in question soon. I just find it odd that after the HB was replaced most of it went away. Now between 50/60 mph there's a constant shudder. And like I said there's still a vibration @ 30-45 mph.

Added (2). Also the vibration is going through the whole vehicle, because when I'm sitting in it my passenger seat vibrates, and I also walked to the back of the vehicle, and I can feel it back there as well. Guess this is going to be a guessing game! After CV, I will do the u-joints I guess. No mechanic has found it yet.

A wobbling harmonic balancer would indicate that the elastomer between the hub and outer ring is failing. It is unlikely to cause a vibration that you could feel in the car. You should replace it, but it won't make your vibration go away. I'd suspect a weak cylinder would be to blame if it vibrates when parked and can also be felt when driving, especially under a load.

No it isn't normal for the balancer to be wobbling, sounds like the rubber is delaminating within the balancer

No, it's not normal. I suggest replacing it soon before it separates completely and causes possible additional damage to the front of the engine and/or leaves you stranded somewhere.

But I also doubt that it's the cause of the vibration.

I've seen balancers with a small bit of wobble. You need to inspect the rubber between the inner and outer part of the balancer to see if the rubber is separated. I've not seen bad motor vibration caused by a balancer. Just drive belt problems.
How about telling us if the vibration is when the Ford EXPLODER is moving or sitting still?!

It should never wobble. How do you know it wobbles, or are you just afraid it does? I suspect other problems if your car shimmys or vibrates while being driven. The harmonic balancer will stay in balance on its keyway on the front of the crankshaft, even if the pulleys de-bond from it. Have the car looked at for diagnosis ofthe vibration. Rotate the tires to see if that changes the vibration, and if it does, there's a bad tire- possible tread separation internally. Also, a CV joint on an axle could be stiff and causing vibration.

No it's not normal, I would say more but the rest of the comments were right on the nail with their answers, especially L.N.

Does the vibration change with the engine speed or with the speed of the car?
if the vibration is effected by the engine speed then the harmonic balancer may be the problem. It could also be motor mounts.

If the vibration shows up around 55-70 balance the tires.
If the vibration shows up after you tap your brakes have the rotors turned or replaced.
If the vibration shows up when you hit a pot hole, check the idler arm.
If the vibration shows up at very slow speeds but not stopped and goes away around 35 drive shaft or cv shafts.
If the vibration happens at idle in park with the engine running check the motor mounts or the balancer.
if the vibration wabbles the entire rear end of the car at like 10 mph like a duck walking, check for a tire with broken bands.
If the vibration happens while your sitting in the car in park drive or neutral engine on or off radio on or off. The train is coming get off the tracks.

Yes

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