Harmonic Balancer Bolt came loose.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Harmonic Balancer Bolt came loose.
So, I went out for drive today. I was experiencing some loose steering issues and read about maybe the bolt on the steering column could be loose. Sure enough it was and steering is good now.
However, I stopped to check the pullies for some whining noises to narrow down the squeaky wheel. The first thing I saw as the balancer bolt wobbling, a lot. The balancer itself was solid, no wobble.
Engine is an LQ9 block bored to 6.22. I bought the car after previous owner di the swap. The balancer is Summit balancer.
My questions are,
1) What would/could cause this to happen?
2) How do I fix this?
However, I stopped to check the pullies for some whining noises to narrow down the squeaky wheel. The first thing I saw as the balancer bolt wobbling, a lot. The balancer itself was solid, no wobble.
Engine is an LQ9 block bored to 6.22. I bought the car after previous owner di the swap. The balancer is Summit balancer.
My questions are,
1) What would/could cause this to happen?
2) How do I fix this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
If they didn't tighten the steering column bolt correctly what chance would the balancer bolt have of being torqued down properly?
At this point I'd put some Locktite on it and tighten it has best as can being you don't have room to work.
When you have the time plan on pulling the steering rack so you can get a good whack at the bolt with the right equipment.
If it's an ARP bolt it can be reused.
The stretch-to-torque bolts from other suppliers are one time use.
Good thing you caught it in time.
I'd check all the important bolts around the car just in case. Starting with the lug nuts.
At this point I'd put some Locktite on it and tighten it has best as can being you don't have room to work.
When you have the time plan on pulling the steering rack so you can get a good whack at the bolt with the right equipment.
If it's an ARP bolt it can be reused.
The stretch-to-torque bolts from other suppliers are one time use.
Good thing you caught it in time.
I'd check all the important bolts around the car just in case. Starting with the lug nuts.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
If they didn't tighten the steering column bolt correctly what chance would the balancer bolt have of being torqued down properly?
At this point I'd put some Locktite on it and tighten it has best as can being you don't have room to work.
When you have the time plan on pulling the steering rack so you can get a good whack at the bolt with the right equipment.
If it's an ARP bolt it can be reused.
The stretch-to-torque bolts from other suppliers are one time use.
Good thing you caught it in time.
I'd check all the important bolts around the car just in case. Starting with the lug nuts.
At this point I'd put some Locktite on it and tighten it has best as can being you don't have room to work.
When you have the time plan on pulling the steering rack so you can get a good whack at the bolt with the right equipment.
If it's an ARP bolt it can be reused.
The stretch-to-torque bolts from other suppliers are one time use.
Good thing you caught it in time.
I'd check all the important bolts around the car just in case. Starting with the lug nuts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,191
Likes: 82
Man i hate to hear that i went with an arp bolt too replaced the balancer a few weeks ago and torqued it to 235 ftlbs no loctite just with the arp lube it recommends hope i dont have the same issue. Oreillys rents to 250ftlb torque wrench hard to find.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Then on top of all of this, I spent the warm day driving with the top off. went to pull it out and the damn corner piece snapped off.
This is the one I should've walked away from. But now it's either sell it to someone looking to build an all out track car, or make it my mission to make it a respectable street car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I'll have to get one. I'll probably just go ahead and get a new bolt. Praying that the one in there didn't walk out because it snapped. (Can't really imagine that happening, but you never know) I have new ARH headers with catted pipe coming in this week. I have Bilsteins to put on as well.
Then on top of all of this, I spent the warm day driving with the top off. went to pull it out and the damn corner piece snapped off.
This is the one I should've walked away from. But now it's either sell it to someone looking to build an all out track car, or make it my mission to make it a respectable street car.
Then on top of all of this, I spent the warm day driving with the top off. went to pull it out and the damn corner piece snapped off.
This is the one I should've walked away from. But now it's either sell it to someone looking to build an all out track car, or make it my mission to make it a respectable street car.
Either way, I hope it’s nothing more than loose.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,191
Likes: 82
Hopefully mine is torqued correctly. I used the cheap flywheel locking tool and tightened it all the way seated with the balancer install tool and the original bolt torqued to 235ft lbs then removed the original tty bolt and installed the new arp bolt to 235ftlbs. Oreillys loan a tool is the only 1/2" that goes to 250 ftlbs 108$ nice torque wrench.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
Once you've got it disconnected from everything and out of it's mounts why not get it out of the way entirely? You do (usually) have to drop the cradle an inch or two to get it out so I guess that is what time you are saving. Dropping the cradle an inch or two is really not a biggie.
Its up to you.
Its up to you.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yeah, I haven't really gotten under it to see. Just thought I'd ask. I was thinking, hoping that I could just take the mounting bolts out and drop it the 1/2 inch or so to just get at the crank bolt. Not really looking forward to disconnecting lines and tie rod ends. You know?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Yep, same thing when I did the clutch on my old '96. I've got a set of new ARH headers and catted mid-pipe coming today, and Bilstein shocks to put on it as well.
Where I'm lucky here is that all of this stuff has been off within the last year or so, so I'm not fighting 24 year old fasteners.
Where I'm lucky here is that all of this stuff has been off within the last year or so, so I'm not fighting 24 year old fasteners.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Yeah, I haven't really gotten under it to see. Just thought I'd ask. I was thinking, hoping that I could just take the mounting bolts out and drop it the 1/2 inch or so to just get at the crank bolt. Not really looking forward to disconnecting lines and tie rod ends. You know?
I can certainly understand that, but the issue is that the steering rack is right in front of the balancer. You can slip an offset box wrench in there, but you don't have much range of motion, and you'd NEVER get the required torque on the bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,013
Likes: 726
So, I went out for drive today. I was experiencing some loose steering issues and read about maybe the bolt on the steering column could be loose. Sure enough it was and steering is good now.
However, I stopped to check the pullies for some whining noises to narrow down the squeaky wheel. The first thing I saw as the balancer bolt wobbling, a lot. The balancer itself was solid, no wobble.
Engine is an LQ9 block bored to 6.22. I bought the car after previous owner di the swap. The balancer is Summit balancer.
My questions are,
1) What would/could cause this to happen?
2) How do I fix this?
However, I stopped to check the pullies for some whining noises to narrow down the squeaky wheel. The first thing I saw as the balancer bolt wobbling, a lot. The balancer itself was solid, no wobble.
Engine is an LQ9 block bored to 6.22. I bought the car after previous owner di the swap. The balancer is Summit balancer.
My questions are,
1) What would/could cause this to happen?
2) How do I fix this?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas