metalmech

How hard are the harmonic balancers to replace?
i got a quote for 1300$. Seems like a lot to me. Any suggestions?

Z.youngg85@gmail.com

Apparently its pretty labor intensive but 1300 does seem high.

kirk tarrant

have to pull rack and drop front sub frame i think

feeder82

pull the rack yes, drop the cradle no.

aj98

Almost all of it is labor cost.

Conventional logic is to replace the OEM with one of several differnt Powerbond models.
The direct emplacement can be had at OReileys for about 100.

Slo Yelo C5

Keep shopping around. Others on here know ALOT more than I do about this, but fair market rate for labor for this is $600-$800 (it's about 6-7 hours of billable labor at a shop).

And the balancer itself, IIRC, is $100 for a GM OEM replacement balancer. Don't fall for it because it may break again! As other much more knowledgeable members than myself have drilled in my head...replace the GM balancer (piece of garbage) with an ATI brand balancer (about $400), ARP bolt ($35 or so) and new seal (I think that's what it's called?) for $20.

So all in, about $1,050-$1,250 with ATI and ARP products (the best stuff). A "fancy" Corvette shop tried to charge me $1,300+ to replace the balancer with another junk GM balancer that will probably break again in a few years.

Which part of the country are you in? I'm sure the great members here will recommend some reputable shops near you. Good luck.

ssrallyred

We have done 2 in the last few months and it was 800.00 including a powerbond balancer.

v8srfun

Is the rack unbolted and slid foreword out of the way or completely removed

ssrallyred

It can be done either way.

momo20

i have removed my steering rack twice and several other's replacing the harmonic balancer and to be honest it's really not that hard of a job..the steering rack take's about 2 hours to remove on jack stand's and then you need a pulley removal tool and you can zip off the harmonic balancer in seconds...installing the new harmonic balancer is a bear though as it has a special toque seq. you must follow

tbrowne

It's not hard as in requiring special skills but it is a lot of work. The radiator shroud, radiator and fans have to be completely removed from the car. The alternator and all hydraulic lines to the rack have to be removed and the rack unbolted and slid out of the way. Special tools are needed to pull the old balancer and press the new balancer back on to the crank. ATI balancer is overkill if your not racing. A PowerBond balancer and factory bolt are more than sufficient. Do it right if you're doing it yourself because you won't want to have to do it again any time soon. Plan on spending several days with the car on jack stands, take your time and be methodical about it. $800.00 is reasonable if you're having it done and $1300.00 not out of the ball park depending on where you're at and who is doing it.

Slo Yelo C5

ATI may be overkill, but if it's such a PITA to do, doesn't it seem like overkill may be the way to go with this? One and done? Just my thinking.

ATI balancers run about $400 for LS1. How much (roughly) does a PowerBond balancer run?

Smoken1

P/B's are around 125.00 if I remember right

v8srfun

I am buying a power bond but if I had the extra money I would get a ati

Mistrezz 06

I'm taking my girl to the shop next Friday, I have an issue with my oil pump. So while the mechanic is working with that I'm also changing the harmonic balancer, new belt, the time chain, both gaskets on the oil pan, new oil and filter.

It come to $ 475 in parts and $ 799 in labor . but the good thing is that I won't have to worried about crap for a while.

So my suggestion is that if you are changing the balancer go ahead and take care of the parts that they will exposed during that job.

By the way, I'm using aftermarket part too, not OEMs. And yes up have to drop all kind of things before you get to the balancer. This is a great hobby but it ain't cheap.

Good luck man !!!

leadfoot4

That's why I went with an ATI balancer.

radar502

I did a new cam last winter in my 04 Z not really that hard to do .Lots of taking parts off putting then back on . Once you pull the radiator ( Prob. needs to be cleaned anyway ) Alt. a few bolts just unbolt the steering rack push it out of way leave all hoses on .. DA DA the balancer is right there .. The bolt was the prop. with mine , I used a 7' 3/4 pull handle yep 7 -feet or a good air supply and a 1/2' air gun . I have a puller tool you cam borrow just send it back and pay shipping or I would not pay over $800.00 and the new GM balancer are way better that the old ones and will hold up .that's all you need .. go on line look into how it's done and you will know what your paying for or how to do it ..

~Josh

If you're in Atlanta I can help you for free.