harmonic balancer help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
harmonic balancer help
Well belts are squealing again. I replaced them this summer so I thought a pulley maybe. It looks like the balancer is wobbling, but maybe its just an optical illusion? I cant see that the rubber hub is seperating, nor is the pulley walking out. Also the belt isnt walking side to side at all.
The tensioner pulley does have play in it and seems to be moving when the car is running.
crappy cellphone pics
and crappy cellphone video
The tensioner pulley does have play in it and seems to be moving when the car is running.
crappy cellphone pics
and crappy cellphone video
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
A common problem on the aging C5's ( they been out of production for 5+ years and your 2000 is about to celebrate 10 years) is that the harmonic balancer begins to fail. Either the balancer bolt begins to loosen and the balancer begins to walk off the snout of the crank and/or the rubber center of the balancer begins failing causing the balancer to wobble. Do a search on this problem ( harmonic balancer) to read lots about the issue and what it takes to replace these yourself if you have the tools.
There are plenty of after market suppliers for much better harmonic balancers and their prices are compareable to GM replacement part. If your tensioner pulley has slop in it you should probably start there as it should not have any slop.
There are plenty of after market suppliers for much better harmonic balancers and their prices are compareable to GM replacement part. If your tensioner pulley has slop in it you should probably start there as it should not have any slop.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
Its not always the belts. I have had the same issue with the idler pullies on the A/c and the main belt causing the squeeling. Best is to remove the A/C belt and see if it goes away. Check the idler bearings feel smooth when you rotate them by hand. I replaced the A/C idlers on my car and problem went away.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: LaCrosse Wisconsin
While trying to find where my squeek was I noticed my balancer had a slight wobble but the bolt was still tight and the rubber center was still in tact. I didn't want to take a chance so I had it replaced by a chevy dealership and it's a good thing I did.
Even though the balancer appeared to be in tact on the car, once they took it off you could see that it was in fact separating. The new balancer DOES NOT wobble at all but it wasn't cheap to replace. No more squeeking!
Even though the balancer appeared to be in tact on the car, once they took it off you could see that it was in fact separating. The new balancer DOES NOT wobble at all but it wasn't cheap to replace. No more squeeking!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Your dampener doesn't look that bad and from the pictures looks normal. I run my car HARD and couldn't take the chance of the ring separation. I purchased a Power bond Damper and couldn't be happier.
Its a really nice piece and works well for the money. Its also slotted for a pin if you need or desire to install one where the OEM isn't.
I would change the tensioner. If the tensioner is moving in and out thru it's tension range theres some wobble in the dampener.
BC
Its a really nice piece and works well for the money. Its also slotted for a pin if you need or desire to install one where the OEM isn't.
I would change the tensioner. If the tensioner is moving in and out thru it's tension range theres some wobble in the dampener.
BC
