Hi all- I posted shortly after purchasing a 99 about squealing noises.
then car over heated, lost power steering and found out belts were kicked off.
had my neighborhood mechanic check it out and he was convinced it was the harmonic balancer. When he went to replace it the bolt came right out without tools so he then assumed we could tighten the bolt and be fine.
drove around the block and belts off again.
today he replaced bolt and used some type of special lock tight to secure it. Said wait 24 hours and try again.
he is worried that since the balancer got loose and there is no markings there is no way to be sure he put it back in correct place.
so if bolt loosens again I have to find someone that can take the whole engine apart to correctly balance everything.
talked to “Dub” here in Charlotte and he was unsure if he’d be able to fix or not.
ive owned for about a month, car has only been running for about 4 days... so pissed at this point, I just want to fix the freaking thing but want to avoid a GM dealership.
any suggestions in Charlotte NC?
paid 14k, I’m assuming GM shop would charge an arm and leg to take engine out and fix everything.
sooooooooo frustrated. Dream car since I was 5, now 48 with a vette that won’t run.
PS - my guy says the harmonic balancer is fine, no separation from rubber, no wiggle when on tight.
so it’s something else making the bolt loosen.
which then causes the balancer to wobble, then belts fly off etc. etc.

 

Call PCM of Mooresville. They know their stuff...

https://www.pcmofnc.com/

 

Dude, stop with the quick fix. If you need a HB, buy a new one, new bolt and get it professionally installed by a competent mechanic (not yours). It won’t work any other way. Good HB will cost you $3-400. and a NEW bolt ( they can not be reused) about $40. ATI is the brand most recommend with an ARP bolt. There is a fair amount of disassembly so this will be over $1000 with parts. Do not cheap out as this is a critical part and doing it right the first time is the only way to go. Sucks that this happened

 

The bolt is a one time use. Get an ARP bolt and the Summit C2501 balancer - ATI balancer is overkill for a street car - big overkill.

These balancers aren't like the old ones. They can go on any way they want.

 

Moved to C5 Tech.

 

Chris Ferrell 704-201-4437 has an auto repair shop in The Indian Trail area. He has a good reputation and knows Corvettes. He has a C7, and has changed HB’s on C5’s and C6’s

I haven’t spoken to Chris since last fall when we both were at VIR

Good guy, straight shooter.

 

Thanks everyone! I had it towed to Aces Automotive (Chris Farrell) in Indian Trail, will update, can't wait to get it fixed!!