[Z06] Wobbly harmonic balancer advice...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Protecting the sheep in northern MN
Wobbly harmonic balancer advice...
I noticed the other day that my '03 Z06 with 39K miles was making a chirping noise. I looked around and noticed that the belt had walked off the tensioner a little bit. So I was thinking I would need a new tensioner. Well after doing some searching on the forum, I started hearing about this wobbly harmonic balancer that some c5's are known for. Well my palms started to get sweaty and my mouth got dry thinking maybe this was my problem. 
So I went out and fired her up, held a flashlight on the balancer and sure enough the SOB was wobbling. I talked to a friend of mine that owns a garage that said he would help me switch it out. Is this problem affect all LS engines...everything I found seemed to be focused on the LS1 not the LS6. I will have the dealer check it out as soon as the weather breaks and get a professional opinion before I tear into it. Any suggestions on what kind of aftermarket balancer to go with. This is just a sunny afternoon cruiser. Also is an underdrive pulley and harmonic balancer the same thing? Sorry for my ignorance. 
So I went out and fired her up, held a flashlight on the balancer and sure enough the SOB was wobbling. I talked to a friend of mine that owns a garage that said he would help me switch it out. Is this problem affect all LS engines...everything I found seemed to be focused on the LS1 not the LS6. I will have the dealer check it out as soon as the weather breaks and get a professional opinion before I tear into it. Any suggestions on what kind of aftermarket balancer to go with. This is just a sunny afternoon cruiser. Also is an underdrive pulley and harmonic balancer the same thing? Sorry for my ignorance.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,876
Likes: 0
From: Edmond OK
My car did the same thing at 17.5k miles. I replaced it with a Powerbond 25% underdrive unit.
In the case of the LS engines, the balancer and crank pulley are the same thing. You should go aftermarket, no question. The stock units are prone to this.
In the case of the LS engines, the balancer and crank pulley are the same thing. You should go aftermarket, no question. The stock units are prone to this.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Protecting the sheep in northern MN
With the Powerbond 25% underdrive unit, do I need a different belt or will the one I have still fit? It seems to be fairly new.
