How much wobble is acceptable?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
How much wobble is acceptable?
Just was curious because I've read quite a bit about harmonic balancer issues so I got a flashlight out and checked my to see... I have some wobble, not bad, haven't had any issues that I am aware of... so, I guess some wobble is acceptable... and I'll know when it's not?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Steve, just keep an eye on it so you can prevent a belt issue before it happens. If your belt wear looks good I would not be concerned. Just monitor it every 1000 miles or sooner if it makes you feel better.
Never even looked to see if mine has any noticeable wobble. Next time I get my car out I will check and let you know if I can even notice any.
Mr. Sam
Never even looked to see if mine has any noticeable wobble. Next time I get my car out I will check and let you know if I can even notice any.
Mr. Sam
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 30
From: Milwaukee WI
Mine has been visably not perfectly steady since i got my car in 2012. I put 9k and 13ish track days on it and it still looks the same. So they are definately fine when not perfect. I have plans to try to replace it next season but we will see. Just watch it imo.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I would say anything past extremely slight is not good. Think about it like this, you've got a balancer there that weighs 15# or so, and it's swinging around at 6Krpms from time to time, normally at 2Krpms, it's gonna shake the hell outa the car. Do you 'feel' it? Eh, maybe, maybe you equate that shake and vibration with seat-of-the-pants HP, but don't. If it's not running true, it's bad.
A couple great analogies would be one, a part in a lathe. If the part isn't round yet, or the part is loaded in the chuck off center (in a 4 jaw), then you MUST counterbalance that part or honestly the situation is dangerous. A part 10# out of balance in a 10,000# lathe will lift the lathe off the floor if you turn it up.
#2 would be your cell phone vibrating ringer. All it is is a tiny little motor with an out of balance weight on the shaft. The weight that swings is virtually nothing, yet it'll make your phone walk across the table. All that energy is wasted, just like your oob damper.
When it is fixed and you drive it, you'll say omg, this is a different car.
A couple great analogies would be one, a part in a lathe. If the part isn't round yet, or the part is loaded in the chuck off center (in a 4 jaw), then you MUST counterbalance that part or honestly the situation is dangerous. A part 10# out of balance in a 10,000# lathe will lift the lathe off the floor if you turn it up.
#2 would be your cell phone vibrating ringer. All it is is a tiny little motor with an out of balance weight on the shaft. The weight that swings is virtually nothing, yet it'll make your phone walk across the table. All that energy is wasted, just like your oob damper.
When it is fixed and you drive it, you'll say omg, this is a different car.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Steve, just keep an eye on it so you can prevent a belt issue before it happens. If your belt wear looks good I would not be concerned. Just monitor it every 1000 miles or sooner if it makes you feel better.
Never even looked to see if mine has any noticeable wobble. Next time I get my car out I will check and let you know if I can even notice any.
Mr. Sam
Never even looked to see if mine has any noticeable wobble. Next time I get my car out I will check and let you know if I can even notice any.
Mr. Sam
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
I would say anything past extremely slight is not good. Think about it like this, you've got a balancer there that weighs 15# or so, and it's swinging around at 6Krpms from time to time, normally at 2Krpms, it's gonna shake the hell outa the car. Do you 'feel' it? Eh, maybe, maybe you equate that shake and vibration with seat-of-the-pants HP, but don't. If it's not running true, it's bad.
A couple great analogies would be one, a part in a lathe. If the part isn't round yet, or the part is loaded in the chuck off center (in a 4 jaw), then you MUST counterbalance that part or honestly the situation is dangerous. A part 10# out of balance in a 10,000# lathe will lift the lathe off the floor if you turn it up.
#2 would be your cell phone vibrating ringer. All it is is a tiny little motor with an out of balance weight on the shaft. The weight that swings is virtually nothing, yet it'll make your phone walk across the table. All that energy is wasted, just like your oob damper.
When it is fixed and you drive it, you'll say omg, this is a different car.
A couple great analogies would be one, a part in a lathe. If the part isn't round yet, or the part is loaded in the chuck off center (in a 4 jaw), then you MUST counterbalance that part or honestly the situation is dangerous. A part 10# out of balance in a 10,000# lathe will lift the lathe off the floor if you turn it up.
#2 would be your cell phone vibrating ringer. All it is is a tiny little motor with an out of balance weight on the shaft. The weight that swings is virtually nothing, yet it'll make your phone walk across the table. All that energy is wasted, just like your oob damper.
When it is fixed and you drive it, you'll say omg, this is a different car.
the car is a 2004 with only 33k miles on it FYI not that, that really makes any difference. Thanks for your post
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Just went out to the shop and looked things over as best I could....
both belts appear to be in excellent condition no cracking or signs of aging... the rubber in the balancer also appears to be in excellent condition... no sighs of cracking or associated signs of separating any place... it all looks to be in excellent condition. Again I didn't start checking for wobble because I had a problem... I was just curious and was surprised to see any wobble at all....
I have always applied the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule of thumb to most things... I don't want to mess with it if it's NOT a problem, but I don't want to leave it if it is a problem... I kinda wish I hadn't even looked at it... I didn't have this dilemma a couple of days ago...
I think I'm inclined to just keep an eye on it and see if it gets wobblier... or starts causing some vibrations, and then deal with it.
I've never done it before... I may try and take some video and post it.
both belts appear to be in excellent condition no cracking or signs of aging... the rubber in the balancer also appears to be in excellent condition... no sighs of cracking or associated signs of separating any place... it all looks to be in excellent condition. Again I didn't start checking for wobble because I had a problem... I was just curious and was surprised to see any wobble at all....
I have always applied the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule of thumb to most things... I don't want to mess with it if it's NOT a problem, but I don't want to leave it if it is a problem... I kinda wish I hadn't even looked at it... I didn't have this dilemma a couple of days ago...
I think I'm inclined to just keep an eye on it and see if it gets wobblier... or starts causing some vibrations, and then deal with it.
I've never done it before... I may try and take some video and post it.
Last edited by 73Corvette; May 5, 2015 at 12:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Here's a great way to think about it. Just look at the tensioner when the car is idling or when someone revs the motor up while you watch. If it moves, the balancer needs replaced.
Just to let you know, I just did one and it's not a real fun R&R project.
Just to let you know, I just did one and it's not a real fun R&R project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
If you are going to track your Corvette, replace it immediately, it will let go when you least expect it and the broken belts will fly everywhere and can cause a lot of damage. When it does you will know real quick...lack of power steering.
Mine went and it seemed to take forever to replace it. Since then I have helped three others replace theirs as well and after that I could cut the replacement time in half... If you autocross in a stock class you have to use the stock balancer, otherwise get one of the aftermarket ones.
Mine went and it seemed to take forever to replace it. Since then I have helped three others replace theirs as well and after that I could cut the replacement time in half... If you autocross in a stock class you have to use the stock balancer, otherwise get one of the aftermarket ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
I am a little calmer now, but still dreading the thought of having to change this little balancer out.
Any suggestions on what balancer to get? OEM... aftermarket? I'll need to make myself a list of things to do, so I DON'T screw this up...
Parts, tools, beer, more beer...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Steve, I assume you have links on replacing it. If not let me know. If I recall some people remove the radiator to allow the steering rack to be moved without disconnecting it. Apparently it was to prevent air binding in the system or perceived that venting the coolant would be easier.
If you don't have the FSM I can PDF you that info.
Mr. Sam
If you don't have the FSM I can PDF you that info.
Mr. Sam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
You can read this to see how much fun you are going to have. You will also see a recommendation to do the oil pump and timing chain while you are there.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-balancer.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-balancer.html
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
You can read this to see how much fun you are going to have. You will also see a recommendation to do the oil pump and timing chain while you are there.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-balancer.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-balancer.html
I've read about this till I sick of reading... I'm nervous and apprehensive...Is your balancer smooth as a babys bottom or do you have some wobble and or vibration?