Now what! Harmonic Balancer content:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I talked with a Chevrolet representative at the local Chevrolet dealer about a month ago about the balancer, fuel sensors and ebcm on the C5. He basically said that they warrantied the parts for the warranty period and they have fulfilled their obligation. He did admit that it is a problem about the electronics not being available from the aftermarket as the balancers and fuel sensors are but he suggested maybe its time to buy a newer Corvette. I agreed, but I also told him that a lot of people just cannot afford a new C7 and want to keep their older Corvettes in tip top shape. That was just about the end of the conversation which I did not expect much more from him. I felt a little better as I am also a member of the club as well being able to vent a little.
You need to keep in mind, that's been the general philosophy of Detroit for DECADES......every 3-4 years, you trade up to a new one. Look at the "cottage industry" that sprang up to re-sleeve C-2 and C-3 brake calipers. NOBODY ever expected to see those cars on the road this long!
The REAL problem with the C-5 balancer, is accessing it. Having to remove the steering rack is a PITA! Simply R&Ring the balancer isn't all that hard. If you didn't have to pull the rack out, which also requires that the car get a wheel alignment, you could do the job in an hour and a half......or less!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Have to admit that I replaced my HB at 67000 miles (with a PowerBond 1117SS), not because it showed any signs of failing, but because of the amount of threads describing what I feared to be just inevitable. I was replacing the cam and figured this was as good a time as any. However, made one big mistake. Did not pin the HB as I never thought I would want to supercharge the engine. WRONG. Now have to again remove the steering rack to pin the HB. Moral of the story, if you are going to change the HB then pin it as well, because you never know.
Last edited by alxltd1; Oct 19, 2015 at 05:18 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
I don't understand this; its a part that's made of sandwiched rubber and steel. One of those facets is going to dry rot and degrade over time. I've replaced balancers on many vehicles I've owned. Maybe not at 50k; but they still fail.
The balancer is one of the most crucial items on an engine for longevity; esp if you are making any decent power. It's not just a 'balancer' its a HARMONIC DAMPER. That means it cancels out frequency in the rotating assembly; things that kill bearings and rob power.
Go spend your $400 on a GOOD rebuildable ATI unit and STFU. Buy a floor jack while you're at it.
These were 40-50k cars new. I swear this forum will spend more money on wax and stick on chrome than what should actually find it's way into a performance car.
The balancer is one of the most crucial items on an engine for longevity; esp if you are making any decent power. It's not just a 'balancer' its a HARMONIC DAMPER. That means it cancels out frequency in the rotating assembly; things that kill bearings and rob power.
Go spend your $400 on a GOOD rebuildable ATI unit and STFU. Buy a floor jack while you're at it.
These were 40-50k cars new. I swear this forum will spend more money on wax and stick on chrome than what should actually find it's way into a performance car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 14
From: Lake Charles Louisiana
I don't understand this; its a part that's made of sandwiched rubber and steel. One of those facets is going to dry rot and degrade over time. I've replaced balancers on many vehicles I've owned. Maybe not at 50k; but they still fail.
The balancer is one of the most crucial items on an engine for longevity; esp if you are making any decent power. It's not just a 'balancer' its a HARMONIC DAMPER. That means it cancels out frequency in the rotating assembly; things that kill bearings and rob power.
Go spend your $400 on a GOOD rebuildable ATI unit and STFU. Buy a floor jack while you're at it.
These were 40-50k cars new. I swear this forum will spend more money on wax and stick on chrome than what should actually find it's way into a performance car.
The balancer is one of the most crucial items on an engine for longevity; esp if you are making any decent power. It's not just a 'balancer' its a HARMONIC DAMPER. That means it cancels out frequency in the rotating assembly; things that kill bearings and rob power.
Go spend your $400 on a GOOD rebuildable ATI unit and STFU. Buy a floor jack while you're at it.
These were 40-50k cars new. I swear this forum will spend more money on wax and stick on chrome than what should actually find it's way into a performance car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
no I get it; but GM still has messed up issues with vettes to this day. It's not right but it's not getting rectified via lawsuit or even has the clout of the more serious issues. At the newest cars (c5) being 11 yrs old; just get a good balancer and be done. Why go through the hassle using parts store or repro junk.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
The days of longevity are gone, sad but true. Now a days it all boils down to dollars and cents. Who can supply the parts the cheapest and the fastest. And I don't care what anyone says, plenty of small block Chevy's on the road today, not to mention other brands of cars with their original balancers still spinning away.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 3
My car has 23,335 miles on the clock. For a simple - yet critical part to fail after what would represent the equivalent of about two years of (normal) driving is not just poor design, but poor business. For this repair to fall within the car's new car warranty timeline is costly to Chevrolet and, given the relatively low cost of the part, unnecessary. It robs profit as well as image from the brand.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
The days of longevity are gone, sad but true. Now a days it all boils down to dollars and cents. Who can supply the parts the cheapest and the fastest. And I don't care what anyone says, plenty of small block Chevy's on the road today, not to mention other brands of cars with their original balancers still spinning away.
Its too bad they cant design many models that are visually appealing
Pro
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 547
Likes: 230
Why not do them at the same time as the balancer? The balancer has to come off anyway to get to the cam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,015
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
The design of a part that has a possible short life using a keyless press on fit, a one time use attachment bolt, poor access and tendancy to squeek in operation was too cheap. Most owners who replaced with quality aftermarket parts don't want to trade up to a newer model and repeat the exercise.