this aint my first rodeo....
balancer replacement questions
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
so after replacing my belt several times, and having it squeak allot, i tried to fix it again today and noticed my balancer wobbling today. my car is an 04 with just under 20K miles and doesnt get driven much at all...seems odd that its having a problem seperating when mine has never been off the car.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
chances are the rubber portion is letting go. Might as well upgrade to a quality balancer. we have a few options available if you're interested. you can give us a call at the shop and we will be happy to set you up and walk you thru the removal and replacement. 573-552-4219
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
chances are the rubber portion is letting go. Might as well upgrade to a quality balancer. we have a few options available if you're interested. you can give us a call at the shop and we will be happy to set you up and walk you thru the removal and replacement. 573-552-4219
doesnt the steering rack have to come out to replace it?
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,419
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
Keep in mind, you weren't forced to respond......
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Tampa FL
HB bad or not?
I've read through this and many other threads regarding HB wobble trying to decide if this is a problem on my stock '00.
It may halp others to look at the following video of C6 wobble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRboo9a0RnY). At 20 seconds in, you can see the inner ring of the HB is steady but the outer (ribbed) ring is wobbling. Maybe it's been that way since day 1 on this HB, but at least it helps you ID what's going on.
In my case, the belt jumped off when I punched it getting on a freeway. My gator belt is in good shape, but the recently-replaced tensioner feels a bit weak (spring-wise). I ordered a new one.
Dave
It may halp others to look at the following video of C6 wobble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRboo9a0RnY). At 20 seconds in, you can see the inner ring of the HB is steady but the outer (ribbed) ring is wobbling. Maybe it's been that way since day 1 on this HB, but at least it helps you ID what's going on.
In my case, the belt jumped off when I punched it getting on a freeway. My gator belt is in good shape, but the recently-replaced tensioner feels a bit weak (spring-wise). I ordered a new one.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Don't take everything you read here as gospel. The rubber pulley ring going bad and causing a wobble isn't really going to "cause a lot of damage", slipping on the crank will. I've been wrenching a long time and NEVER seen an OEM balancer on an unmodified car fail. If you are doing some work that necessitates a balancer removal, by all means replace it with a new one.
That being said - a pinned under driven pulley is a nice mod.
That being said - a pinned under driven pulley is a nice mod.
First the MOST COMMON issue for OEM balancers IS the separation of the inner and outer rings.
Second, if it does separate @ 1000+ revolutions per MINUTE! It's going to do some damage, the steering rack is RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT.
Third, how many here are "unmodified"?? Not many by my count.
The pure "harmonics" of it and all PROBABLY won't cause much if any damage but if and when it does finally completely separate..look out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
so after replacing my belt several times, and having it squeak allot, i tried to fix it again today and noticed my balancer wobbling today. my car is an 04 with just under 20K miles and doesnt get driven much at all...seems odd that its having a problem seperating when mine has never been off the car.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I just finished replacing my factory installed balancer on a 51k '99 model C5. It was "kinda" wobbly and was causing belt noise. After reading and seeing pictures of separations I decided to replace mine with the Powerbond OE replacement. Upon removal I inspected the thin rubber bead that separates the main body from the pulley ring and found about five large cracks that reminded me of sidewall dry rot on an old tire. Would it have lasted another year? Maybe...who knows. I too think it's age that's killing them, not cycles. Although high HP mods may aggravate it.
Also, I may get flamed for this but a harmonic balancer replacement on an LS engine is hard AND complicated with a lot of expensive downside if you screw up. Before doing the job yourself I think you should think about your experience and skills. If replacing belts and brake pads is all you've done you might want to get help - with a warranty! If, on the other hand, you can change a clutch over a weekend and have a very high initial success rate go for it. Just my $0.02!
Also, I may get flamed for this but a harmonic balancer replacement on an LS engine is hard AND complicated with a lot of expensive downside if you screw up. Before doing the job yourself I think you should think about your experience and skills. If replacing belts and brake pads is all you've done you might want to get help - with a warranty! If, on the other hand, you can change a clutch over a weekend and have a very high initial success rate go for it. Just my $0.02!
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Feb 15, 2011 at 02:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,419
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
Theoretically by underdriving the alternator and power steering pump, you'll use less HP, and have more power to accelerate the car. I say theoretically, because you'll probably not notice the difference on the street, and a car such as a Corvette, with all of it's electrical bells and whistles, most likely needs all the electrical power the alternator can provide....
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 5
From: Forsyth Illinois
Theoretically by underdriving the alternator and power steering pump, you'll use less HP, and have more power to accelerate the car. I say theoretically, because you'll probably not notice the difference on the street, and a car such as a Corvette, with all of it's electrical bells and whistles, most likely needs all the electrical power the alternator can provide....
Thanks again. Mark
