Flywheel balance weights
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 66
Likes: 3
From: Camp Hill PA
Flywheel balance weights
I recently had the flywheel/clutch and transmission replaced under warranty on my 02 Z06 (3,000 miiles). As soon as I got it back I felt some additional vibrations when the vehicle is under load at 2500 rpm and above 3500 rpm.
The dealer just checked it out, took some vibration/frequency readings by mounting an instrument on the shift lever and is sending the data to GM for analysis. I'm expecting them to come back and tell me it is in the normal range.
The mechanic told me that me moved the weights to the new flywheel and oriented the flywheel properly but I have to believe that something went wrong.
I've been looking at my shop manual and it seems like I should be able to remove a cover from the lower part of the bell housing and gain access to the bottom of the flywheel. I'm thinking I can purchase some weights from GM and try adding them at verious locations on the flywheel to see if I can improve the situation.
Does anyone know how the weights are attached to the flywheel and how they are removed?
thanks
The dealer just checked it out, took some vibration/frequency readings by mounting an instrument on the shift lever and is sending the data to GM for analysis. I'm expecting them to come back and tell me it is in the normal range.
The mechanic told me that me moved the weights to the new flywheel and oriented the flywheel properly but I have to believe that something went wrong.
I've been looking at my shop manual and it seems like I should be able to remove a cover from the lower part of the bell housing and gain access to the bottom of the flywheel. I'm thinking I can purchase some weights from GM and try adding them at verious locations on the flywheel to see if I can improve the situation.
Does anyone know how the weights are attached to the flywheel and how they are removed?
thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Flywheel balance weights (jeclarke)
I would advise you not to tinker with it at all. The dealer realizes something is wrong and is asking GM for assistance. If you do something to it and the dealer finds out, they're gonna point the blame finger towards you.
A forum member (I think he goes by Ranger) experienced vibrations after changing his clutch. In his case, I believe the mechanic didn't put the flywheel weights on and as a result, field engineers arrived from GM had to fix the situation. You may be headed in the same direction.
A forum member (I think he goes by Ranger) experienced vibrations after changing his clutch. In his case, I believe the mechanic didn't put the flywheel weights on and as a result, field engineers arrived from GM had to fix the situation. You may be headed in the same direction.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 420
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Re: Flywheel balance weights (C5Noir)
Actually, it was forum member Steve Row.
He had MASSIVE problems with vibration after a botched clutch/flywheel change by his mechanic......we suspect the wheel was not *marked* to the correct crankshaft position (it can be installed any which way...no dowel pin like old Chevy small blocks) or the weights were not properly transferred to the new wheel.
He solved the problem by trading the car for a new Z06.........
He had MASSIVE problems with vibration after a botched clutch/flywheel change by his mechanic......we suspect the wheel was not *marked* to the correct crankshaft position (it can be installed any which way...no dowel pin like old Chevy small blocks) or the weights were not properly transferred to the new wheel.
He solved the problem by trading the car for a new Z06.........
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 420
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Re: Flywheel balance weights (Tracy)
And don' even THINK about adding weights, whether you do it in some random manner or in a very carefully thought-out plan........the chances of it working are about a billion to one. The chances of it making things much worse are about one to a billion.....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Flywheel balance weights (Tracy)
Ranger had this problem, too. Tracy is right, though, I could not get the problem fixed. My clutch was not done at a dealer.
One thing was done that did help. It took the vibration down by about half.
They took the bottom cover off and put a washer on the pressure plate bolt. Did this one at a time, starting the car and feeling the vibration. On the last one they felt a difference.
Good luck with your problem. Apparently, this happens in a very small percentage of cases. The guy that did Ranger's car said he had done twenty clutch jobs on C5's and never had the problem before Ranger's '01 Z06.
Keep pushing on GM. Ranger had to threaten the dealer with the Better Business Bureau, but GM did send two people to the dealer who replaced his clutch and balanced it so that it was as smooth as the original.
One thing was done that did help. It took the vibration down by about half.
They took the bottom cover off and put a washer on the pressure plate bolt. Did this one at a time, starting the car and feeling the vibration. On the last one they felt a difference.
Good luck with your problem. Apparently, this happens in a very small percentage of cases. The guy that did Ranger's car said he had done twenty clutch jobs on C5's and never had the problem before Ranger's '01 Z06.
Keep pushing on GM. Ranger had to threaten the dealer with the Better Business Bureau, but GM did send two people to the dealer who replaced his clutch and balanced it so that it was as smooth as the original.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 66
Likes: 3
From: Camp Hill PA
Re: Flywheel balance weights (jeclarke)
The dealer contacted me and I'm taking the care in on Tueaday. A field engineer from GM is coming to the dealer with instrumentation to balance the engine in the car.
I'll post the outcome after the job is finished.
I'll post the outcome after the job is finished.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
