Harmonic balancer defect
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 17
From: Hendersonville NC
Harmonic balancer defect
Two of my friends balancers have recently come apart costing 1000 to 1500 for repairs taking out the oil pan. One car had 17k and the other had 55k. GM should look at this problem because I think a lot of the balancers are coming apart. A recall would be nice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Never happen, especially a car that's been out of production for 8 years and post-bankruptcy. They are off the hook FOREVER on this, maybe you should hang out with the EBCM crowd that thinks GM will one day fix their EBCM's for them if they cry loud enough.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 17
From: Hendersonville NC
I said it would be nice but I know it won't happen. If the Corvette was a cheap high production car the public would stop buying that model with all the expensive repairs it has with it.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Carson VA
Vette owners are different breed...they know they will receive inferior components for a greater price. Bottom line though is that any vette is a "best buy" every year in it's price catagory. We sleep in the beds we make. Love mine...faults and all...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Mine started coming loose at the track a few years ago. Car had 28K miles on it.
$125 for a used Powerbond under drive pulley, another $50 for a ARP balancer bolt and front seal...Done.....
My 8 hours of labor were free. It was a learning experience.
$125 for a used Powerbond under drive pulley, another $50 for a ARP balancer bolt and front seal...Done.....
My 8 hours of labor were free. It was a learning experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 17
From: Hendersonville NC
I was wondering how many were having this problem. I like the Corvette and have had 17 of them. Only one has been a C-5 the rest of them were C1,2,and 3 cars. Back in the day the cars did not give much trouble unless you really abused them. If the part failure is great I will probably spend the three to four hundred for preventive maintenance before the part fails and cost three times that much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
I was wondering how many were having this problem. I like the Corvette and have had 17 of them. Only one has been a C-5 the rest of them were C1,2,and 3 cars. Back in the day the cars did not give much trouble unless you really abused them. If the part failure is great I will probably spend the three to four hundred for preventive maintenance before the part fails and cost three times that much.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
I have had the problem too but caught it before it got any worse. Mileage doesn't matter. It's more so age and rubber drying out. Apparently a lot of people catch it early on. I don't know the situation of people who don't catch it. Do they not hear the really bad sounding noise or just choose to ignore it? Or does it not make a noise for everyone? Mine was bad and it sounded like metal grinding. I see a person with 17k posted having problems and they said "the rotation of the pulley had eaten away at the timing cover and the oil pan". I don't know how you don't hear that happening? But maybe the sound is not as loud as it was on mine. Anyway, if you catch it early then it's a lot cheaper. Just buy a new balancer from parts dealers or get an aftermarket one piece.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 2
From: New Port Richey Florida
I'm having mine replaced tomorrow for $600. It is what it is. My car is 11 years old and things are going to go wrong from time to time.
I just love owning and driving a vette. No regrets.
Enjoy the ride. I do.
I just love owning and driving a vette. No regrets.
Enjoy the ride. I do.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
I have had the problem too but caught it before it got any worse. Mileage doesn't matter. It's more so age and rubber drying out. Apparently a lot of people catch it early on. I don't know the situation of people who don't catch it. Do they not hear the really bad sounding noise or just choose to ignore it? Or does it not make a noise for everyone? Mine was bad and it sounded like metal grinding. I see a person with 17k posted having problems and they said "the rotation of the pulley had eaten away at the timing cover and the oil pan". I don't know how you don't hear that happening? But maybe the sound is not as loud as it was on mine. Anyway, if you catch it early then it's a lot cheaper. Just buy a new balancer from parts dealers or get an aftermarket one piece.
. It is good that we have this forum however to advise others of what we experienced. To me, that has more value than anything. Good Luck.
