Balancer Hub Removal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Balancer Hub Removal
You folks were right. Replacing the Opti-Spark and water pump is going to be about 1 on the 10 scale except for removing the hub. What a bear! Does GM or anyone make a tool to simplify this deal. Mine is frozen with rust. I don't have a puller that will fit in the available space that will pull this darn thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
Yes, there is a tool specifically for it if you can find it and want to pay the bucks for it.
Don't try Autozone, the one they gave me was a joke and won't work.
Do some research, there are lots of threads on this subject. Most will say just be persistent. It may be frustrating but it will come off.
Don't try Autozone, the one they gave me was a joke and won't work.
Do some research, there are lots of threads on this subject. Most will say just be persistent. It may be frustrating but it will come off.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
So you don't have to remove the crankshaft pulley to pull the Opti-Spark unit? That is what I call it (crankshaft pulley). A real mechanic neighbor referred to it as the balancing hub. Is there a breakdown in communication here due to folks using different terms for the same part?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
The damper or balancer which has the grooves for the serp belt is attached to the hub which fits on the crank. The damper or balancer is held onto the hub by bolts which have to come out and then the fun begins. The damper or balancer can be rusted onto the hub and most guys have to get under the Vette and using a 1" dowel about 2 feet long, tap the balancer off the hub. Now you should be able to remove the opti.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
The damper or balancer which has the grooves for the serp belt is attached to the hub which fits on the crank. The damper or balancer is held onto the hub by bolts which have to come out and then the fun begins. The damper or balancer can be rusted onto the hub and most guys have to get under the Vette and using a 1" dowel about 2 feet long, tap the balancer off the hub. Now you should be able to remove the opti.
Stock damper (balancer) next to an ATI Super Damper that I have on my 383. This is all you have to remove. (note: the balancer is sitting on the hub just for the pic)
Hub (this was during re-installation on another job after I had changed the crank seal)
Last edited by 96GS#007; Sep 10, 2011 at 02:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
The damper or balancer which has the grooves for the serp belt is attached to the hub which fits on the crank. The damper or balancer is held onto the hub by bolts which have to come out and then the fun begins. The damper or balancer can be rusted onto the hub and most guys have to get under the Vette and using a 1" dowel about 2 feet long, tap the balancer off the hub. Now you should be able to remove the opti.
I enjoyed a knowledgable no nonsense reply.
Enjoy Your Freedom-Prayfor Our Troops,
Ricky Westfield
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Thank You, Thank You , Thank You!
Thanks to everyone that responded. It was a pleasure to get some good advice from knowledgable folks without all the crap. I have added all of you to my contact or friends list. You have restored my faith in forums. I have a slight physical impairment that makes things a bit more difficult now but I got my car up on stands last night and will probably finish up today. I hope each of you will accept me so that I will have a few folks I can contact for real info and confirm that what I think needs to be done is correct. The pics were great!
Enjoy Your Freedom-Pray for Our Troops,
Ricky Westfield
Enjoy Your Freedom-Pray for Our Troops,
Ricky Westfield
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Lets forget that thread that got ugly. This is a wonderful forum with experts available and willing to help. I've learned more from this forum in the 8-9 years I've been here. Along with the FSM, I haven't found anything about the C4 that I couldn't figure out. We may disagree on which catback exhaust is the best or which oil to use, but most guys have their reasons and support their reasons with good arguements. Okay, off my soap box.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 103
From: Olney MD
Harmonic balancer removal
I did this job a couple of weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind.
First, I tried to bang it off with a hammer and long steel rod. People said that a few taps should get it right off. Right! Not gonna happen.
I went to Advance auto Parts and rented a gear puller (free after return).
I had to dismantle it somewhat to get it to fit over the balancer. (removed the center screw, then put the jaws on the pulley.) I threaded the long screw through a gap in the power steering line and started turning. It was off in a couple of minutes. Did everything from the top of the engine.
Brother, I feel your pain!
Good luck!
First, I tried to bang it off with a hammer and long steel rod. People said that a few taps should get it right off. Right! Not gonna happen.
I went to Advance auto Parts and rented a gear puller (free after return).
I had to dismantle it somewhat to get it to fit over the balancer. (removed the center screw, then put the jaws on the pulley.) I threaded the long screw through a gap in the power steering line and started turning. It was off in a couple of minutes. Did everything from the top of the engine.
Brother, I feel your pain!
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I did this job a couple of weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind.
First, I tried to bang it off with a hammer and long steel rod. People said that a few taps should get it right off. Right! Not gonna happen.
I went to Advance auto Parts and rented a gear puller (free after return).
I had to dismantle it somewhat to get it to fit over the balancer. (removed the center screw, then put the jaws on the pulley.) I threaded the long screw through a gap in the power steering line and started turning. It was off in a couple of minutes. Did everything from the top of the engine.
Brother, I feel your pain!
Good luck!
First, I tried to bang it off with a hammer and long steel rod. People said that a few taps should get it right off. Right! Not gonna happen.
I went to Advance auto Parts and rented a gear puller (free after return).
I had to dismantle it somewhat to get it to fit over the balancer. (removed the center screw, then put the jaws on the pulley.) I threaded the long screw through a gap in the power steering line and started turning. It was off in a couple of minutes. Did everything from the top of the engine.
Brother, I feel your pain!
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Thanks for all the help! As soon as I clean the water pump gasket off the engine I am ready to reassemble and enjoy driving instead of working on my Vette.
