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Had the balancer start wobbeling recently, was hoping to replace it w/o removing the steering rack, seemed like no one had done it in the searches I did. However it IS possible to do w/o removing the rack. You unbolt the rack, leave the steering rack, pump lines connected. Slide the rack toward the pass side as you lift it up, it will move enough to just pull and reinstall the balancer, no messy PS fluid, no messing with frozen steering rack line fittings and rounding them off, busting knuckles in that tight space. I am not a video person but here are a few pix to show how it is done. you can see the rack is high enough to pull the balancer, I propped it up w a piece of 2x4 the balancer being installed, had to buy a special tq wrench that is 27" long and use my foot to reach the 235 tq for the ARP bolt
Last edited by tombrammer; May 21, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
Thanks for posting that. I was wondering if that was possible. I marked the outside of mine (using a silver sharpie) as I noticed a slight wobble when I bought my car in March. So far no slipping. I bought a gently used ARP bolt for inevitable from a forum member. At some point I'll change the balancer for piece of mind.
Which balancer did you buy?
Did you pin it?
Thanks again!
Did it on jack stands in my shop, no lift. Didn't pin it. I did remove the rad shroud, much easier to see what you are doing. Also replaced crank seal and A/C pulleys and belt, so glad that is done. Used this bal Genuine GM # 12560115 from RockAuto. My engine is mostly stock w; LT's, afr enforcer heads, 1.8 rr's stock cam, makes 370 to the wheels and I don't drive it too hard, hopefully this balancer will do fine.
Had the balancer start wobbeling recently, was hoping to replace it w/o removing the steering rack, seemed like no one had done it in the searches I did. However it IS possible to do w/o removing the rack. You unbolt the rack, leave the steering rack, pump lines connected. Slide the rack toward the pass side as you lift it up, it will move enough to just pull and reinstall the balancer, no messy PS fluid, no messing with frozen steering rack line fittings and rounding them off, busting knuckles in that tight space. I am not a video person but here are a few pix to show how it is done. you can see the rack is high enough to pull the balancer, I propped it up w a piece of 2x4 the balancer being installed, had to buy a special tq wrench that is 27" long and use my foot to reach the 235 tq for the ARP bolt
Nice job! To be clear, you disconnected the steering column, unbolted the rack, then lifted the rack up and shifted it towards the passenger side? Did you have to drop the cradle, or not? Thank you....
Yes, disconnect the steering from steering rack, and drop cradle about 1/2", have to pry it down and put some kind of wedge in there, the ps lines are stiff but they have enough flex and movement to allow you to move the rack up and out of the way w/o disconnecting any ps lines. I got the rack back in place with a ratcheting tie down, just wrapped it around the rack and the cradle and tightened until the rack went back in.
You dont need to drop cradle.
You don't have to fully remove the steering rack. it will move up and over toward passenger side. You can see it above balancer in this pic. When you position car for job leave enough room for rack to stick out 18". Plenty of room especially if you remove fans. Use ARP bolt and rent big *** torque wrench from auto zone. Not hard, just a PITA
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replaced balancer w/o removing steering rack
