My Balancer wobbles so I bought a Powerbond replacement. Getting it installed is taking months of headach. I finally decided to bring it to the dealership, they quoted me $600-$800 for the job. I spoke with the guy when I dropped the car off and he said he would speak to GM about assistance because it’s a known issue. After the car being there for 6 days the guy at the dealership now tells me he didn’t do the job because it’s the wrong part because it has a key (it’s to pin the HB to crank, it’s optional) I’m shocked he did not know pinning it to the crank is optional.
Now he’s saying they won’t do the job and I should pick up my car ASAP.

These are his text msgs to me:

Chris the fluid changes have been done we started the install of balancer found that pulley you provided has a key way slot and your crankshaft does not, we do not recommend to install this part

GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE 800-222-1020 - You may discuss your concern with rep - know that they probably will not consider assistance with a none GM part

As far as us installing your balancer we will not be installing your pulley.

There is a lot of labor involved Once all is apart and there is an issue with fit and set up of the balancer - this would be an issue with a costly resolution it would be best for you to pick up your vehicle when you can

Call the number I gave you - they will give you a case number - forward the case number to me and we can follow up.
———————————

So now i guess my next step is to try and call GM and see what they say?

 

Bringing a part to a dealer (or any mechanic) for installation is never a good idea.

 

Take it to an independent shop that has a good reputation for Corvette repairs. Sounds like your dealer just doesn’t want to do it.

 

Pay the dealer to put it back together with the old and then go somewhere else and pay full tariff again?? No way.

Tell them to put the damn part on and forget about the key slot. They're a bunch of retards.

 

And tell them to use a new seal and use the ARP bolt not another stock TTY bolt

 

Good luck getting a dealer to install ANY aftermarket part. How are they supposed to provide warranty?

 

They don't. It's a C5 for cry'n out loud. It was out of warranty eons ago. And, they took the car apart with the balancer in hand, surely they knew before they got to the crank that it was an aftermarket part. Not installing it is bs.

 

See if there are any corvette clubs near you and contact one of them. They will be more than happy to help you out with information or even a place to take your car. The level of dumb mechanics now-days just astounds me. You would think that some of these mechanics would want to do side jobs to make extra money. TAX FREE...

 

Just another dealership disaster story. We have heard hundreds of them.

 

Agree with others. Find a shop that does Vette work. Even if it is a miles away requiring you to rent a car for the round trip..

Since I am not a DIY mechanic because of age and other stuff, should my go to Vette mechanic retire, so will my C5. I just could not put up with the incompetence of GM dealerships (ask me how I know) if I need repairs.

 

I have been trying to find a mechanic to install the HB for a few months now.
The one place I found wouldn’t do it because I bought the parts myself. Another place is a gastation that is untrustworthy according to a coworker of mine.

I think the car is not in pieces and the GM dealer mechanic made it seem they took it apart and then realized it had a key slot and changed their mind and put it back together. I think he just made up a BS excuse and never tried in the week the car had been there.

The parts I have are:
•Dayco PB1117SS PowerBond Race Performance Harmonic Balancer
•ARP 2342503 Stud Kit
•TRW Steering Rack Bushing
•ACDelco 296-02 GM OEM Engine Front Cover Seal

I’m thinking about calling the number tomorrow that he gave and see if GM will help and maybe he’ll change his mind and do it if they will pay.

I am near Clifton, NJ area, if anyone can recommend a place I’ll look into it.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Frankly, the gm hotline won’t be able to help you. I routinely bring my dealer gm parts that I buy off gm parts direct and they will install those. They will also install any aftermarket parts when the oem has been discontinued. However, they won’t install any aftermarket when the oem is available. I’m surprised your dealer agreed to start the work knowing that it was an aftermarket part that is still sold by gm.

Are the shops hops that you contacted corvette specialty shops? Generally, they have no problem installing customer carry parts. It’s only the chain repair shops that will object to parts that aren’t purchased from them.

i would bitch and moan until they put your car back together for FREE and let you drive off with the original part installed. They should have never agreed to start the work. Then take it elsewhere.

 

A call to a Lawyer just might help.

 

Yeah, if you want to pay even more. Lawyers are as bad as dealerships.

 

Im an attorney. Lol.

 

I'm surprised a Chevy dealer would even work on a 15 year old (C5 minimum) car. I agree about finding a shop that specializes in Corvettes.

 

I'm surprised a Chevy dealer would even work on a 15 year old (C5 minimum) car. I agree about finding a shop that specializes in Corvettes.

 

Wow, that dealer shop sucks.

 

Try doing it yourself? There are plenty of videos and threads on this issue.

 

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.