Harmonic Balancer Install
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
My local dealership is happy to do the work on my C5. They will only use OEM parts and warrantee their work and the parts for a year. They have a Corvette specialist and sometimes they are cheaper than the local independent shops. There are no Corvette shops in this area and many of the independent shops will not touch a Corvette. Might have something to do with picky Corvette owners.
...same here.....a local dealership has a top notch Corvette specialist and I brought my own Power Bond balancer and GM bolt and front seal and he did a great job and pricing was very reasonable...but...no warranty on the non GM part.... but i already knew that ...but i did not want to put on the same old chitty GM balancer
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
Post an add on your local Craigslist....Wanted,,Good mechanic who can change a Harmonic Balancer on a C5 Corvette. I have the parts, just need the tools and muscle. Willing to pay such and such an amount. Lets talk... If you lived close to me, it would have already been done. Im sure that there are a lot of young guys out there who would like to make some side money. THIS IS NOT A HARD JOB TO DO.. Just time consuming. Its not like you are trying to pull the motor out or the drivetrain.
Worst case scenerio.......tell the dealer to put an oem balancer on it and consider it a ..."Lesson Learned".... You can always sell the Powerbond.
Worst case scenerio.......tell the dealer to put an oem balancer on it and consider it a ..."Lesson Learned".... You can always sell the Powerbond.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 159
Likes: 50
Sounds like they are tailoring the GM policy to their own desires.
I'm pretty amazed overall how many of you have bad dealership stories, though I am lucky to work for one of the best in the country. Even prior to that my last dealership, much smaller, would bend over backwards for service customers.
Vettes generally equal money behind the wheel and the dealership wants your money. They should be falling all over themselves to get your money and establish a relationship that keeps you willingly spending your money with them and no someone else....
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 38
From: Richmond, Missouri
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Its not just the chain shops and dealers that wont let you bring your own parts. Most of the small shops wont either anymore. Insurance nonsense. I'm east of kansas City. When my guy closed up shop, that was one of my must haves in looking for a new shop. Im about to have the balancer done on my 98, and finding a quality shop with my list of wants has been.....fun.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Its not just the chain shops and dealers that wont let you bring your own parts. Most of the small shops wont either anymore. Insurance nonsense. I'm east of kansas City. When my guy closed up shop, that was one of my must haves in looking for a new shop. Im about to have the balancer done on my 98, and finding a quality shop with my list of wants has been.....fun.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 113
From: Vancouver Island
When I had my balancer replaced I had a hard time trying to find a mechanic that would touch my car. So I ended up getting the dealer to install a new oem part and new front seal/bolt. (Just wanted to drive my car) Worked out okay and haven’t had an issues since, (knock on wood) 
going on 4 years now at least. But having said that, I have since found an independent mechanic that has done a clutch replacement and a bunch of other work for me, and they’re fantastic! They ain’t cheap by any means, but the quality of work is top notch. Hopefully you can get this sorted so you can get back to enjoying your Vette!
going on 4 years now at least. But having said that, I have since found an independent mechanic that has done a clutch replacement and a bunch of other work for me, and they’re fantastic! They ain’t cheap by any means, but the quality of work is top notch. Hopefully you can get this sorted so you can get back to enjoying your Vette!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
Pardon my french, but they are lying and purposefully side stepping the actual GM parts warranty policy. Many of our parts carry lifetime warranty on the part and labor when installed at a dealership these days and a vast majority that don't carry lifetime provide coverage for 2 years.
Sounds like they are tailoring the GM policy to their own desires.
I'm pretty amazed overall how many of you have bad dealership stories, though I am lucky to work for one of the best in the country. Even prior to that my last dealership, much smaller, would bend over backwards for service customers.
Vettes generally equal money behind the wheel and the dealership wants your money. They should be falling all over themselves to get your money and establish a relationship that keeps you willingly spending your money with them and no someone else....
Sounds like they are tailoring the GM policy to their own desires.
I'm pretty amazed overall how many of you have bad dealership stories, though I am lucky to work for one of the best in the country. Even prior to that my last dealership, much smaller, would bend over backwards for service customers.
Vettes generally equal money behind the wheel and the dealership wants your money. They should be falling all over themselves to get your money and establish a relationship that keeps you willingly spending your money with them and no someone else....
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: Upper Montclair New Jersey
I haven’t had time to read all replies yet. I just wanted to update that the dealer did the oil change and transmission fluid change and he didn’t charge me anything for the labor. So I now have the car back home and I’m asking around to find a place to do the HB install.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
Pro
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 184
From: Atlanta GA
I haven’t had time to read all replies yet. I just wanted to update that the dealer did the oil change and transmission fluid change and he didn’t charge me anything for the labor. So I now have the car back home and I’m asking around to find a place to do the HB install.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I haven’t had time to read all replies yet. I just wanted to update that the dealer did the oil change and transmission fluid change and he didn’t charge me anything for the labor. So I now have the car back home and I’m asking around to find a place to do the HB install.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
I just wanted to let you know the dealer was cool for not charging anything for work he did, that makes up for the frustration.
I'm actually surprised a dealership didn't try to tell you they had four hours in it but then refused to do the work. And by the way you owe for the four hours.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 369
Likes: 59
From: North Georgia
Sounds like a road trip. That's why they call them "STEALERSHIPS." If you can't do the work yourself, you might want to trailer the car to somewhere where they will do the work. Take a look at the ATI Harmonic Balancer. If you lived nearer to Atlanta, I could point you to several Corvette Shops that do awesome work. Also, it doesn't have to be a "Corvette" shop. I know a very reliable and reasonable Ford Cobra shop in my area, but he also has a guy that works on vintage Chevys. Contact guys in your area. I'm sure there is someone that will treat you right. Also, take your complaint to Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and any other website to warn others of this business.
Good luck.
Spaggs
Good luck.
Spaggs