Harmonic Balancer Advice
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Harmonic Balancer Advice
I have a 2001 LS-1 Coupe. I keep reading posts on the forum that talk about Harmonic Balancer problems and how various members swap them out for after-market units. I have never heard of Harmonic Balancer problems on a street car before? Anyway after reading all these posts, I thought I had better check mine even though I had no other reason to. A visual inspection with the motor running looked to me like it had quite a bit of vibration, so I took it to the dealership.
They looked at it today and said that it did appear to have more "play" than usual and that it will only get worse if not replaced. I am still covered by the Extended GMPP and they said that the repair would be covered.
Here are my questions:
(1) Should I have this done if I have no other symptoms other than a "visual" vibration.
(2) Has there been any improvement in GM Harmonic Balancers since 2001 that would prevent this from happening again in the future? If so, do you have a Part Number?
(3) They said that I could not purchase a 3rd Party "upgraded" balancer and have it replaced under GMPP - it must be GM. Is this true? If not, what should I get for street use if I paln on keep the car for the next 20 years?
They looked at it today and said that it did appear to have more "play" than usual and that it will only get worse if not replaced. I am still covered by the Extended GMPP and they said that the repair would be covered.
Here are my questions:
(1) Should I have this done if I have no other symptoms other than a "visual" vibration.
(2) Has there been any improvement in GM Harmonic Balancers since 2001 that would prevent this from happening again in the future? If so, do you have a Part Number?
(3) They said that I could not purchase a 3rd Party "upgraded" balancer and have it replaced under GMPP - it must be GM. Is this true? If not, what should I get for street use if I paln on keep the car for the next 20 years?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
If it's wobbling, get it changed before you get a real repair bill. If the car is not modded, let them replace it with a stocker. After market pulley can run $300 plus labor. Make sure they replace the bolt with a new one as they are a one time use item. If in the future you do a H/C pkg. you can go to an under drive pulley since the front of the engine will be open. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
Go ahead and get it replaced. Use the OE balancer and all will be fine. No sense in shelling out all the money for an aftermarket unit plus the labor costs when it could be covered under your GMPP.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Guess I will go ahead and have the dealership perform the service.
So have there been any improvements in GM Harmonic Balancers since 2001 to correct this issue or am I just putting back the same defective part?
So have there been any improvements in GM Harmonic Balancers since 2001 to correct this issue or am I just putting back the same defective part?
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Not sure about improvements since '04, but I'd def. replace. Mine actually started to seperate throwing belt alignment off which caused water pump to go out. Completely disappointed with the aftermarket I bought online, weighs almost twice as factory!
