Wandering belt?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Wandering belt?
I have a 2000 6-speed vette that under hard acceleration wants to walk the belt off towards the motor. It consistently jumps 2 grooves. So far I have put a Katech manual tentioner on it and a new belt of course, and trued up the tensioning puller. It still wants to walk. A friend of mine said gates makes a kit that changes the smooth water pump pulley and smooth idler pulley to a grooved pulley and suggested I do that with a double ribbed belt. Has anyone else had a similar scenario and what can I do to eliminate it.
Last edited by Drgoju; Nov 14, 2015 at 09:15 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 171
Just went through this. Replaced balancer and problem solved. The balancer had the slightest wobble but it seemed that affected the pullies furthest away from the balancer the most. Not a hard job, but alot of **** to take apart to get to it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Yes I would suspect the balancer pulley has come apart and caused a wobble--The main belt has a tensioner so the tension should always be OK--Remember that the A/C usues a separate belt so it should be out on the equation---That leaves the water pump -alternator or power steering---If any of those are not locked up or dragging it has the be the last thing--the balancer pulley
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Thank you to all that responded. I plan to look at the Harmonic Balancer today. Exactly what should I look for? I plan on putting the belt back in place and running the motor first at idle and then at a mild rev. As I mentioned it seems to want to walk at higher rpm. I have yet to throttle it from under the hood and have only been able to start it and then rev it and then inspect it. As soon as it warms up a bit I will pull the 2001 out of my shop and pull the 2000 in and give it a closer look.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Don't wait to change the balancer if it is wobbling. If it fails, you are NOT going to like how much it costs you later. Do it now and get peace of mind plus resolve your belt issue all at once.
Last edited by CactusCat; Nov 14, 2015 at 11:04 PM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
After a more detailed inspection I have noticed the entire harmonic balancer is moving forward towards the steering rack. I have maybe a 1/4 to 3/8 clearance to the rack. It appears to be intact (the harmonic balancer). I don't see or feel any disruption in the rubber isolation. I definitely do not want to shear the bolt off trying to press the balancer back in place. Does anyone know the actual thread pitch of that crank bolt? I understand that this bolt is a one time use bolt that stretches at torque spec. I plan to try and match the thread pitch with some hardened rod and angle and press it back in place. And then renew the bolt.
Sound feasible?
Sound feasible?
