View Poll Results: Harmonic Balancer Issues...
I've had or currently have issues-replaced or will replace balancer
280
51.19%
No issues what so ever-still have stock balancer
252
46.07%
Don't care... I drive it like I stole it
15
2.74%
Voters: 547. You may not vote on this poll
Harmonic Balancer Issues... whose got'em
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 412
From: Miami FL
2005 Corvette
I'm on my forth Harmonic Balancer. First one went out at 96k. Had my mechanic replace it. It went out again in about 850 miles later. Then went out again with less than 100 miles since the previous one fixed.
All other ones were OEM.
Going with aftermarket now.
I'm on my forth Harmonic Balancer. First one went out at 96k. Had my mechanic replace it. It went out again in about 850 miles later. Then went out again with less than 100 miles since the previous one fixed.
All other ones were OEM.
Going with aftermarket now.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
I just had my tuner place an order for an ATI damper. I had a 402 installed in my C6 and during the build, the tuner noticed my double roller timing chain had locked up and was probably about to go. I did a bunch of research on broken timing chains and ASP underdrive pulleys seemed to be a common theme. Whether they were directly the cause of broken chains I can't say. But the statistics were enough for me to ditch my ASP and go with the proven and popular ATI. If you're questioning your stock balancer, I'd swap in an ATI.
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
My mechanic installed a Summit Racing Harmonic Balancer. It seems to be running pretty smooth now.
I kind of live out in the country and there is no telling how long the OEM HB's were sitting on the Chevy dealership shelves.
I'll post in another 1k miles or if it breaks again.
Thanks for the input.
I kind of live out in the country and there is no telling how long the OEM HB's were sitting on the Chevy dealership shelves.
I'll post in another 1k miles or if it breaks again.
Thanks for the input.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 293
Likes: 55
From: Dallas-Ft Worth Texas
A lot of people around here swear by them, but I don't think there's a whole lot of data on how long and how hard people are driving once they swap one in. Personally, I wouldn't trust it or any other brand part that utilizes that same OEM design.
Last edited by drew_c6; Jun 8, 2018 at 04:16 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 311
Likes: 270
From: San Diego CA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After talking to my mechanic, I am going to return the 1117N and buy the 1117SS. The peace of mind is worth the extra bucks and I don't want to have to replace the HB again.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 51,040
Likes: 1,159
From: S/W ,Fla-Ohio State Football isn't a matter of life or death,Its Much More serious than that
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 293
Likes: 55
From: Dallas-Ft Worth Texas
Car has been sitting in jackstands for two years now until I can find someone to help me try and rebuild the motor or until I can afford to take it to have it rebuilt or replaced. Upside is I just paid it off a few months ago.
Last edited by drew_c6; Feb 21, 2021 at 10:08 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
I might have the record.
5 total failures 2 needing a tow.
On failure 2 I think the balancer failed in such a catastrophic manner it took out my tensioner and a few pullies
Water pump exploded the next week "totally unrelated"
On failure 5 which was the dealerships fault the bolt holding the pully on backed out....on the way home from picking up the car from failure #4.
This wrecked the crank hard enough that they had to pull the engine and replace the crank.
Since then I have not had a single failure and am led to believe that there was nothing wrong with the oem balancers but infact it was a fault on the cranks.
Thank God for that extended warranty lol.
5 total failures 2 needing a tow.
On failure 2 I think the balancer failed in such a catastrophic manner it took out my tensioner and a few pullies
Water pump exploded the next week "totally unrelated"
On failure 5 which was the dealerships fault the bolt holding the pully on backed out....on the way home from picking up the car from failure #4.
This wrecked the crank hard enough that they had to pull the engine and replace the crank.
Since then I have not had a single failure and am led to believe that there was nothing wrong with the oem balancers but infact it was a fault on the cranks.
Thank God for that extended warranty lol.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 6
From: North East Florida
I might have the record.
5 total failures 2 needing a tow.
On failure 2 I think the balancer failed in such a catastrophic manner it took out my tensioner and a few pullies
Water pump exploded the next week "totally unrelated"
On failure 5 which was the dealerships fault the bolt holding the pully on backed out....on the way home from picking up the car from failure #4.
This wrecked the crank hard enough that they had to pull the engine and replace the crank.
Since then I have not had a single failure and am led to believe that there was nothing wrong with the oem balancers but infact it was a fault on the cranks.
Thank God for that extended warranty lol.
5 total failures 2 needing a tow.
On failure 2 I think the balancer failed in such a catastrophic manner it took out my tensioner and a few pullies
Water pump exploded the next week "totally unrelated"
On failure 5 which was the dealerships fault the bolt holding the pully on backed out....on the way home from picking up the car from failure #4.
This wrecked the crank hard enough that they had to pull the engine and replace the crank.
Since then I have not had a single failure and am led to believe that there was nothing wrong with the oem balancers but infact it was a fault on the cranks.
Thank God for that extended warranty lol.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,583
Likes: 1,664
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Yes.....really don't need to open up an ancient thread as can start a new one.
And a new thread on this topic would be one that has already been discussed on here thousands of time.
"Drop the cradle vs. pull the rack" is not a new debate. Do a search and you will agree.
And a new thread on this topic would be one that has already been discussed on here thousands of time.
"Drop the cradle vs. pull the rack" is not a new debate. Do a search and you will agree.
on the time he said it took to replace the balancer. At least for someone that has never done it before.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 722
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
This thead dates back decades.
I wonder if the HB issues are much more prominent with the manual transmission than with the automatic. It seems there is so much more torque applied to the HB with manual transmission aggresive driving. I don't think the automatic is as hard on the HB.
Anyone have HB issues with their automatic transmission Corvette?
I wonder if the HB issues are much more prominent with the manual transmission than with the automatic. It seems there is so much more torque applied to the HB with manual transmission aggresive driving. I don't think the automatic is as hard on the HB.
Anyone have HB issues with their automatic transmission Corvette?