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I proactively replaced my OEM balancer when doing a H/C 3 years ago with another OEM balancer. My OEM balancer had a weight in 1 of the 12 holes used by the factory to fine tune the whole rotating assembly. You might inspect your existing balancer for weights and see if any were used. If so, you are actually creating an imbalance by putting in a zero-balanced aftermarket HB that has no provision for those 3 and 4.5 gram weights.
I proactively replaced my OEM balancer when doing a H/C 3 years ago with another OEM balancer. My OEM balancer had a weight in 1 of the 12 holes used by the factory to fine tune the whole rotating assembly. You might inspect your existing balancer for weights and see if any were used. If so, you are actually creating an imbalance by putting in a zero-balanced aftermarket HB that has no provision for those 3 and 4.5 gram weights.
Mine went bad I replace with an SLP with slight underdrive and new GM bolt. Overall has been great for 5 years. Only wish the SLP was lightweight like some of the others to free up rotational mass.
If I am pulling the radiator at the same time as replacing the HB, can the steering rack just be pushed out of the way instead of being taken out?
When I did mine, once you remove the two mounting bolts and the two hydraulic hoses you would need to do, just to move it, it is almost out anyway. I know even if I did it again, I wouldn't even consider doing it with the steering rack still in the car. You need to mess around to change the seal, and put the new balancer on, you need the space. Now with the rad out it may be different but that rack is still very close to the balancer. I know there are several people on this forum with a lot more abilities than myself so temper my opinion with theirs.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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I have had my balancer off maybe 3-4 times and never removed the rack, I just push it over to the passenger side and move the driver side tie rod up and out of the way to clear the balancer and front cover if you are doing a cam or replacing the cover seal... you can change the balancer without removing the radiator but you have to be cautious as to not damage it... if you are going to do a cam then you will need to remove the radiator