C5 harmonic balancer
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
C5 harmonic balancer
Hey guys, I know this is a common question but still, I recently bought my c5 which has been fun but recently my belt had been making squeaking noises so I parked it during the week until the weekend when I had a little more time to work on it. As soon as i turn it on it make a slight knock for a few seconds and it went away after a pop so I turned off the car went to look at it and the belt was not on track. I checked all the pulleys and they all spin as normal no wobble except for the crankshaft pulley which does wiggle a bit. I had a mechanic come look at it he quoted me 1200 with parts, and 900 without (said it had to be an acdelco part(redesigned), and that the Powerbond part I bought would only last a couple of weeks). Well I just wanted to ask does that seem like a fair price, whats the best parts i can get from local shops (autozone/oreillys), and does anyone have previous experience of trustworthy shops around Dallas Texas? Thank you
Last edited by Lol.lsx; Jul 14, 2017 at 12:22 PM. Reason: Grammar
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Are you in a low, medium, or high cost of living area?
The lowest quote I got was for $360 in labor if I supply the part, this was from a Corvette specialist who does work on the side. This is in a medium cost of living area. Most other quotes I got were for around $500 in labor (I supply the part).
FYI here are other things to do at the same time as the balancer since the parts are cheap and labor will be pretty much the same while already in there:
Replace steering rack bushings while at it, since steering rack needs to be dropped. Also to pin the balancer to the crank, and use an ARP bolt with red loctite. Also replace front crankshaft seal as part of job. And possibly the ball joint boots. Most of these parts you can find cheap on RockAuto (or try GMPartsDirect.co).
The Dayco Powerbond balancer seems to be popular on this forum, and only costs $63 +shipping via RockAuto. Whatever you do, don't put an OEM GM one back in as they have a design flaw and will fail again.
The lowest quote I got was for $360 in labor if I supply the part, this was from a Corvette specialist who does work on the side. This is in a medium cost of living area. Most other quotes I got were for around $500 in labor (I supply the part).
FYI here are other things to do at the same time as the balancer since the parts are cheap and labor will be pretty much the same while already in there:
Replace steering rack bushings while at it, since steering rack needs to be dropped. Also to pin the balancer to the crank, and use an ARP bolt with red loctite. Also replace front crankshaft seal as part of job. And possibly the ball joint boots. Most of these parts you can find cheap on RockAuto (or try GMPartsDirect.co).
The Dayco Powerbond balancer seems to be popular on this forum, and only costs $63 +shipping via RockAuto. Whatever you do, don't put an OEM GM one back in as they have a design flaw and will fail again.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Jul 14, 2017 at 03:53 PM.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
it's the other way around, the gm replacement will fail and you should keep the powerbond... $1200 is also ridiculous, the balancer from gm is like $75 so is he marking it up $225?... even $900 is steep with you supplying the balancer... if you are willing to drive to Forney I know someone that can probably take care of it
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 80
Likes: 23
From: Guthrie, oklahoma
replace harmonic balancer?
in discussing this topic, i wonder what the recommendation would be for a stock c5 with 58k with no apparent problems and a 5000 mile trip to kansas and az planned for sept,....whether to go ahead and get the DB replaced and done. anyone have an opinion or experience for advice?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Are you in a low, medium, or high cost of living area?
The lowest quote I got was for $360 in labor if I supply the part, this was from a Corvette specialist who does work on the side. This is in a medium cost of living area. Most other quotes I got were for around $500 in labor (I supply the part).
FYI here are other things to do at the same time as the balancer since the parts are cheap and labor will be pretty much the same while already in there:
Replace steering rack bushings while at it, since steering rack needs to be dropped. Also to pin the balancer to the crank, and use an ARP bolt with red loctite. Also replace front crankshaft seal as part of job. And possibly the ball joint boots.
The Dayco Powerbond balancer seems to be popular on this forum, and only costs $63 +shipping via RockAuto. Whatever you do, don't put an OEM GM one back in as they have a design flaw and will fail again.
The lowest quote I got was for $360 in labor if I supply the part, this was from a Corvette specialist who does work on the side. This is in a medium cost of living area. Most other quotes I got were for around $500 in labor (I supply the part).
FYI here are other things to do at the same time as the balancer since the parts are cheap and labor will be pretty much the same while already in there:
Replace steering rack bushings while at it, since steering rack needs to be dropped. Also to pin the balancer to the crank, and use an ARP bolt with red loctite. Also replace front crankshaft seal as part of job. And possibly the ball joint boots.
The Dayco Powerbond balancer seems to be popular on this forum, and only costs $63 +shipping via RockAuto. Whatever you do, don't put an OEM GM one back in as they have a design flaw and will fail again.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,057
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...GM engineers purposely made this balancer to be a POS that they knew would crapout...just get a Power Bond balancer and it will last a long time...again...DO NOT GET A GM BALANCER...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
My '01 has 140k on it with stock balancer. I just replaced both belts/idlers/tensioners due to heavy squeal and it seems to have fixed it. I keep an eye on it and if it starts to wobble, I'll worry.
My buddy bought the pin kit when he replaced his C6 balancer, so I have access to the tool should the time come. Just not looking forward to it.
My buddy bought the pin kit when he replaced his C6 balancer, so I have access to the tool should the time come. Just not looking forward to it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 139
From: Surprise AZ
The GM balancer is crap. In my case it took out my oil pan gasket when it shifted back.
I went with the SummitRacing branded balancer. I'm very happy with it. I paid about $200 for it shipped. The oil pan gasket was a much bigger issue. Spread oil all over the bottom of the car and exhaust.
So check everything around it while you are in there. I have heard of others with way worse problems from the balancer hitting stuff when it separates.
I went with the SummitRacing branded balancer. I'm very happy with it. I paid about $200 for it shipped. The oil pan gasket was a much bigger issue. Spread oil all over the bottom of the car and exhaust.
So check everything around it while you are in there. I have heard of others with way worse problems from the balancer hitting stuff when it separates.
Last edited by Nyt_Muves; Jul 14, 2017 at 03:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
I have had experience with the stock GM balancer. When I purchased my 2001 the PO had just replaced the balancer with the stock GM unit. In a separate issue I pulled the motor to take care of a major engine oil leak. I ended up rebuilding the motor completely.
The balancer did not have a 1000 miles on it but I opted to replace it and put a brand new AC Delco OEM balancer back on.(mistake)
After a little over 12 months and 5000 miles after the overhaul my main belt started the squeak. The new AC Delco balancer was wobbling and causing the problem.
I did a lot of research here on the Forum and found the Powerbond was the best way to go. I had to replace the almost new AC Delco balancer to stop the annoying squeaking belt.
Almost two years later the balancer is still running straight and true and completely quiet.
I learned my lesson with the Delco OEM balancers and would never put the stock balancer on again.
The mechanic that told you that the Powerbond would only last a short time is wrong.
I was going to have the local Chevrolet dealer do the job, but they would not use the after market part so I just did the job myself. The price they quoted me was $950.00 plus parts.
Good luck getting your issue resolved.
The balancer did not have a 1000 miles on it but I opted to replace it and put a brand new AC Delco OEM balancer back on.(mistake)
After a little over 12 months and 5000 miles after the overhaul my main belt started the squeak. The new AC Delco balancer was wobbling and causing the problem.
I did a lot of research here on the Forum and found the Powerbond was the best way to go. I had to replace the almost new AC Delco balancer to stop the annoying squeaking belt.
Almost two years later the balancer is still running straight and true and completely quiet.
I learned my lesson with the Delco OEM balancers and would never put the stock balancer on again.
The mechanic that told you that the Powerbond would only last a short time is wrong.
I was going to have the local Chevrolet dealer do the job, but they would not use the after market part so I just did the job myself. The price they quoted me was $950.00 plus parts.
Good luck getting your issue resolved.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
My balancer started wobbling around 50k miles.
I called a few mechanics they all recommended replace with the oem part.
The dealer quoted 900 parts and labor.
I got an independent to do it for 600 parts and labor.
6 months later, the new balancer started wobbling and causing belt squeal.
The shop replaced it under warranty, said it was the first time they'd seen one go bad so quickly, and they work on a lot of Corvettes.
But if this one fails, I guarantee I won't use another OEM. I've even read of powerbond balancers failing, so I will go with an aluminum ATI next.
I called a few mechanics they all recommended replace with the oem part.
The dealer quoted 900 parts and labor.
I got an independent to do it for 600 parts and labor.
6 months later, the new balancer started wobbling and causing belt squeal.
The shop replaced it under warranty, said it was the first time they'd seen one go bad so quickly, and they work on a lot of Corvettes.
But if this one fails, I guarantee I won't use another OEM. I've even read of powerbond balancers failing, so I will go with an aluminum ATI next.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
OP, my balancer has been wobbling since I bought the car about a year ago.
I got a shop that specializes in LS cars and Corvettes to give an estimate to replace it - I supply the balancer, bolt and new belts, and they quoted me $516 CAD to do the job.
That comes out to about $410 USD.
I have been driving it with the chirp and the wobble but it is always in the back of my mind that I could pay a heavy price if something goes south.... will be getting it fixed within the next month probably.
I got a shop that specializes in LS cars and Corvettes to give an estimate to replace it - I supply the balancer, bolt and new belts, and they quoted me $516 CAD to do the job.
That comes out to about $410 USD.
I have been driving it with the chirp and the wobble but it is always in the back of my mind that I could pay a heavy price if something goes south.... will be getting it fixed within the next month probably.