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Don't let anyone convince you that you don't need to match balance your flywheel
I just had my flywheel, clutch, torque tube, hydraulics, etc. replaced. Shop didn't match balance my clutch assembly after I instructed them to. Now the motor is thrashy from 4K+. I'm trying to be reasonable but I'm pissed. I had 3 pins/weights in my old flywheel. At least I still have the old clutch assembly for reference. This is my new reality I have to deal with. Do not, and I repeat do not let anyone convince you to not match balance your clutch assembly.
Did you use a credit card to pay them? I would dispute the charge with the credit card company.
That may be my end game. Right now I'm going to give them an opportunity to make it right. I've been trying to find a local company that can dynamic balance the engine in the car, but apparently no one knows what I'm talking about. I love this car, but GM really shafted us with regards to the maintenance info on the clutch assembly. Everyone has an opinion because GM never explicitly stated how to deal with the balance weights in the flywheel.
The shop did everything else correct, they just didn't match balance the clutch assembly after I specifically asked them to, and it is a buzz saw at high RPMs.
Did they check the assembly for neutral balance before installing it?
I see many posts about this but don't see people checking the assembly for neutral balance first and still getting a vibration. It seems that it's assumed what is sent is properly balanced.
I recall one responder who had a vibration and they found the assembly was not balanced when it was removed and checked.
You could try balancing it yourself. Put different weight washers onto the pressure plate bolts until you start to find the vibration improving and then tweak from there.
Last edited by lionelhutz; 06-17-2017 at 12:08 AM.
If you did not get it in writing it was never going to happen.
Took a suburban in to get a transmission replaced and part of deal i ask for a transmission cooler to be installed. After all work was done he wife picked up truck. I checked it out and no cooler. Took it back up and he actually said" I dont see that stated in the bill of sale anywhere you are out of luck"
Did they check the assembly for neutral balance before installing it?
I see many posts about this but don't see people checking the assembly for neutral balance first and still getting a vibration. It seems that it's assumed what is sent is properly balanced.
I recall one responder who had a vibration and they found the assembly was not balanced when it was removed and checked.
You could try balancing it yourself. Put different weight washers onto the pressure plate bolts until you start to find the vibration improving and then tweak from there.
I took the clutch assembly to a machine shop myself and had it zero balanced in case there weren't any pins in the original flywheel.
I'm going to try the washer method today to see if I can make any improvement.
It took 3 washers (8 grams) on one bolt and 1 washer (2.5 grams) on the adjacent. It feels pretty good. In the end I'd like to get it professionally balanced, but for now it's solid.
Thanks everyone one on this website for the washer tip! It does work if you're patient.
The white marks are where the pins were in the LS6 flywheel. Here are the washers on the bolts. Ghetto race ramps. Victory Beer!
Now I just have to wait for it to cool so I can put it back together.
Last edited by evolmotorsprt; 06-19-2017 at 04:19 PM.
Glad you figured it out! How do you feel about this same subject, but for the harmonic balancer?
I have not messed with my harmonic balancer yet, but from my research and experience with the flywheel:
- If you're using an OE type replacement you should mark the harmonic balancer before removal, transfer any pins to the new balancer in the same positions, and reinstall the pulley in the exact same orientation as the original.
- If you are going to use an ATI, Fluidampr, etc... just install without the pins. Apparently these better dampers will take care of the imbalance. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong)
Again, I have no experience with the harmonic balancer yet, but I will be buying a Fluidampr when I put a cam in the car.
06-15-2017, 10:48 PM
Don't let anyone convince you that you don't need to match balance your flywheel
