C5 Z06 Harmonic balance replacement ?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Western PA
C5 Z06 Harmonic balance replacement ?
I noticed a bit of a shimmy on my harmonic balancer, not bad but over the past few months now developing a belt chirp that is slowly getting worse, car has 84k miles, figure time to replace it, was going to go with the ATI damper although a bit pricey, idk But anything else i should do while in there ie replace steering rack bushing with A Doug Rippie? Any other bushing to maybe help tighten up the rack a bit, 10% would even be better. thanks Kevin Figured not sure want to push the car real hard in autocross with a wiggly damper lol The previous owner recently had the clutch torque tube belt alternator and radiator done but declined getting pulley done per the shop due to the quote to add that was over $1000 and he already was up there with everything else. I was fortunate to get something very well maintained.
Last edited by mr yuck; Mar 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Reason: add
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Front seal, both idler pulley's and both tensioners. Also now would be the time to do a cam, oil pump and and timing chain if you want but, remember you will need to have it tuned if you add a cam
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Western PA
I think the good thing is prior owner did the radiator hoses with the new radiator and coolant tank but its a factory radiator but only a few k miles on it. there was a new belt not sure on the tensioners but new alternator put on, , thanks for the input!!! Yeah this ain't a Honda or Toyota LOL!!! Although they can have their issues lol
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From: Cincinnati, OH
10% UD ATI is a good bet. You don't need to remove or touch the rack to do a balancer.
Unbolt motor mounts from cradle
Raise motor as high as it will go
Loosen all cradle bolts (leave rears in about 2 turns and remove front bolts) Lets cradle hang down more in the front.
You should have all access to the balancer.
If nothing is leaking I wouldn't touch any front cover seals. If doing a cam, well then you have a slew of more parts and labor to remove radiator/condenser etc etc.
Unbolt motor mounts from cradle
Raise motor as high as it will go
Loosen all cradle bolts (leave rears in about 2 turns and remove front bolts) Lets cradle hang down more in the front.
You should have all access to the balancer.
If nothing is leaking I wouldn't touch any front cover seals. If doing a cam, well then you have a slew of more parts and labor to remove radiator/condenser etc etc.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Western PA
re harmonic balancer
Well , strangely enough, while getting inspected i had a trusted shop take a look at it, they said no worries, the movement was barely even measurable or seen ie maybe <1mm if that so they said to just keep an eye on it and being only use it about 1500 miles a year or so since not a daily. idk I did look at it more closely after that and yes , not sure if it is even moving at all, thinking maybe i was at a strange angle looking at it before , not sure. I may just do it in the fall anyhow just to be safe. Thanks for all the info!!!! Oh and also belt chirp is gone now?? idk LOL 2 years ago i was looking at a 2003 z51 vette and that balancer looked like it was coming off and separating, it was literally almost throwing the belt off. It had an awful belt chirp and could see the shimmy along with the whole car / engine moving. I felt it in the test drive. I may try that shoe polish trick i saw on Toys for Life C5 you tube video to make sure not slipping, phone inspection looks good so far.
Last edited by mr yuck; Apr 12, 2023 at 01:16 PM.
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Well , strangely enough, while getting inspected i had a trusted shop take a look at it, they said no worries, the movement was barely even measurable or seen ie maybe <1mm if that so they said to just keep an eye on it and being only use it about 1500 miles a year or so since not a daily. idk I did look at it more closely after that and yes , not sure if it is even moving at all, thinking maybe i was at a strange angle looking at it before , not sure. I may just do it in the fall anyhow just to be safe. Thanks for all the info!!!! Oh and also belt chirp is gone now?? idk LOL 2 years ago i was looking at a 2003 z51 vette and that balancer looked like it was coming off and separating, it was literally almost throwing the belt off. It had an awful belt chirp and could see the shimmy along with the whole car / engine moving. I felt it in the test drive. I may try that shoe polish trick i saw on Toys for Life C5 you tube video to make sure not slipping, phone inspection looks good so far.
Last edited by grinder11; Apr 12, 2023 at 03:23 PM.
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