Harmonic Balancer Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: coto de caza ca
Harmonic Balancer Question
I have a 2000 MN6 Coupe that I had squeaking AC pullies replaced at a local chevy dealer (very rural here, no private shops nearby) and they said that my ballancer was old and I could see that it was wobbly when running. The repalced it and when I got it home the new one was perfrectly centered in the center diameter but the outside surface where the belts ride was wobbley just like my old one. I pointed this out and they got another balancer and when we tested it on a brake rotor lathe it had the same wobble. We ordered another one and it did the same. They are telling me that this is normal and it is ok. I dont believe them . I checked two other gm small block V8's and their balancers were perfrectly smooth and the belt surface area did not move at all.
Anybody have experience with balancer swapping and how smooth they should run?
Anybody have experience with balancer swapping and how smooth they should run?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,551
Likes: 934
From: Communist Colorado
Since they said it was normal, then why did they show it to you and say it needed replacement? Are they going to reimburse you for the part and labor since it was apparently unnecessary?
I have had 2 Z06's now and neither had any kind of wobble in the balancer. I replaced my balancer recently for performance reasons with a Powerbond under drive unit and its perfectly balanced also.
Why are they called "balancers" if they arent 100% true? Tell your dealer to refund the $ or replace the balancer until they get one that doesnt wobble.
I have had 2 Z06's now and neither had any kind of wobble in the balancer. I replaced my balancer recently for performance reasons with a Powerbond under drive unit and its perfectly balanced also.
Why are they called "balancers" if they arent 100% true? Tell your dealer to refund the $ or replace the balancer until they get one that doesnt wobble.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have a 2000 MN6 Coupe that I had squeaking AC pullies replaced at a local chevy dealer (very rural here, no private shops nearby) and they said that my ballancer was old and I could see that it was wobbly when running. The repalced it and when I got it home the new one was perfrectly centered in the center diameter but the outside surface where the belts ride was wobbley just like my old one. I pointed this out and they got another balancer and when we tested it on a brake rotor lathe it had the same wobble. We ordered another one and it did the same. They are telling me that this is normal and it is ok. I dont believe them . I checked two other gm small block V8's and their balancers were perfrectly smooth and the belt surface area did not move at all.
Anybody have experience with balancer swapping and how smooth they should run?
Anybody have experience with balancer swapping and how smooth they should run?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Just curious, did the pulley portion run true on these balancers?
A Powerbond and a new belt got rid of the chirp I had. The balancer seemed to have a slight wobble at the front edge but the pulley portion ran perfectly smooth. Still, it was old and I had to replace the rack anyways and I got a deal on a new one so I changed it too.
FYI, I lose most of my power steering at idle with the 25% underdrive Powerbond. It makes parking lots a pain when the power assist suddenly drops while turning into a space.
Peter
A Powerbond and a new belt got rid of the chirp I had. The balancer seemed to have a slight wobble at the front edge but the pulley portion ran perfectly smooth. Still, it was old and I had to replace the rack anyways and I got a deal on a new one so I changed it too.
FYI, I lose most of my power steering at idle with the 25% underdrive Powerbond. It makes parking lots a pain when the power assist suddenly drops while turning into a space.
Peter
