Harmonic Balancer Replacement Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Harmonic Balancer Replacement Question
I'm having the famously flawed Harmonic Balancer replaced in my '05 (22.5K miles), my question is has anyone replaced theirs with another OEM GM unit? I called 2 local well respected shops and asked about the ATI unit, they both said to use the OEM unit as GM had fixed the separation problems and the replacement units work just fine. Cost (although not a factor) in considerably more for the ATI piece. Thanks, I'll also be asking this question in the Tech section.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Sure, many have replaced a faulty harmonic balancer with another factory unit. I'll venture to say the majority of people continue to use OEM parts. I don't know where your 2005 VIN falls-in but as you likely know, the early VIN 2005's were supposedly more widely affected by this problem. To remedy the problem GM introduced a friction washer as a harmonic balancer production part in the 2006 LS2 and LS7 engines. I suspect this was also the 'fix' with late model 2005's as well. I think the chances of a second, factory crank-pulley failing are slim but obviously, going with a better product could only help. The only sure-fire cure would be to pin the crank (why GM ever abandoned the keyway and went to a press-fit damper I'll never know). Good luck whichever way you go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
I had to get the harmonic balancer replaced on my '10 GS back in June '12. Obviously GM is continuing to put a bad design on the engines. Why? Mine was done under warranty. Most likely replaced with an identical unit...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Sure, many have replaced a faulty harmonic balancer with another factory unit. I'll venture to say the majority of people continue to use OEM parts. I don't know where your 2005 VIN falls-in but as you likely know, the early VIN 2005's were supposedly more widely affected by this problem. To remedy the problem GM introduced a friction washer as a harmonic balancer production part in the 2006 LS2 and LS7 engines. I suspect this was also the 'fix' with late model 2005's as well. I think the chances of a second, factory crank-pulley failing are slim but obviously, going with a better product could only help. The only sure-fire cure would be to pin the crank (why GM ever abandoned the keyway and went to a press-fit damper I'll never know). Good luck whichever way you go.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
I'm having the famously flawed Harmonic Balancer replaced in my '05 (22.5K miles), my question is has anyone replaced theirs with another OEM GM unit? I called 2 local well respected shops and asked about the ATI unit, they both said to use the OEM unit as GM had fixed the separation problems and the replacement units work just fine. Cost (although not a factor) in considerably more for the ATI piece. Thanks, I'll also be asking this question in the Tech section.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Couple of things. The problem you referenced to the early 05's is totally different than whats been happening to everybody. My 05 is below the cutoff # and when I had my HB replaced the bolt was not loose. Pinning the crank would not have and will not make any difference. The balancer is the defect not the way its installed on the crank. If the crank had been pinned at the factory and had the used the diamond washer on the bolt we would all (not just 05) still be having this problem.
Last edited by RobLo; Jan 5, 2013 at 11:17 AM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I have replaced mine and several others with the factory replacement hb and had it fail again in 4,ooo miles. pay me now or pay me much more a little later. do you want to go thru that again?pay the extra money for a little extra insurance against future failures. I have never heard of an ATI UNIT FAILING THAT WAS PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I get the impression that the new balancer design (and new part number) only became available about a year ago. If that is correct, then any car made before then or any balancer replaced before then, would be the old bad style.
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 607
Likes: 11
From: Encino CA
my 07 is at the dealer now getting the HB replaced with only 27,300 on the clock. I was going to go with an aftermarket HB but a few people on here told me to talk to a dealer and see if they would help out since this is a known issue. GM is covering a percentage of the repair (car is out of warranty) and my cost is less than what I would have paid a non dealer to install an aftermarket HB. The part is covered with a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty.
I am supposed to pick up the car today and I will find out the part # they used.
I took it to Rydell in Northridge and so far they have been the best dealership I have ever dealt with. They were supposed to have it done yesterday but were really busy and could not finish it. From what I was told the Corvette mechanic was supposed to be off today but he said he would come in to finish my car. If that is true then that is really cool of him.
I am supposed to pick up the car today and I will find out the part # they used.
I took it to Rydell in Northridge and so far they have been the best dealership I have ever dealt with. They were supposed to have it done yesterday but were really busy and could not finish it. From what I was told the Corvette mechanic was supposed to be off today but he said he would come in to finish my car. If that is true then that is really cool of him.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
my 07 is at the dealer now getting the HB replaced with only 27,300 on the clock. I was going to go with an aftermarket HB but a few people on here told me to talk to a dealer and see if they would help out since this is a known issue. GM is covering a percentage of the repair (car is out of warranty) and my cost is less than what I would have paid a non dealer to install an aftermarket HB. The part is covered with a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty.
I am supposed to pick up the car today and I will find out the part # they used.
I took it to Rydell in Northridge and so far they have been the best dealership I have ever dealt with. They were supposed to have it done yesterday but were really busy and could not finish it. From what I was told the Corvette mechanic was supposed to be off today but he said he would come in to finish my car. If that is true then that is really cool of him.
I am supposed to pick up the car today and I will find out the part # they used.
I took it to Rydell in Northridge and so far they have been the best dealership I have ever dealt with. They were supposed to have it done yesterday but were really busy and could not finish it. From what I was told the Corvette mechanic was supposed to be off today but he said he would come in to finish my car. If that is true then that is really cool of him.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I get the impression that the new balancer design (and new part number) only became available about a year ago. If that is correct, then any car made before then or any balancer replaced before then, would be the old bad style.
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Sure, many have replaced a faulty harmonic balancer with another factory unit. I'll venture to say the majority of people continue to use OEM parts. I don't know where your 2005 VIN falls-in but as you likely know, the early VIN 2005's were supposedly more widely affected by this problem. To remedy the problem GM introduced a friction washer as a harmonic balancer production part in the 2006 LS2 and LS7 engines. I suspect this was also the 'fix' with late model 2005's as well. I think the chances of a second, factory crank-pulley failing are slim but obviously, going with a better product could only help. The only sure-fire cure would be to pin the crank (why GM ever abandoned the keyway and went to a press-fit damper I'll never know). Good luck whichever way you go.
Just curious, the "friction washer" or in other posts - some time, diamond embedded washer, you refereed to, did you personally verified, it is a stand alone washer or just based on hearsays? Please elaborate.
For your info, there are quite a few have experienced with fail repeat OEM damper replacement reported.
Couple of things. The problem you referenced to the early 05's is totally different than whats been happening to everybody. My 05 is below the cutoff # and when I had my HB replaced the bolt was not loose. Pinning the crank would not have and will not make any difference. The balancer is the defect not the way its installed on the crank. If the crank had been pinned at the factory and had the used the diamond washer on the bolt we would all (not just 05) still be having this problem.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
That's the same part number I got on mine back in May of 2012 and I'm pretty sure it's the same number for years before that. Looks like they are still using the same part and not an updated one.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I get the impression that the new balancer design (and new part number) only became available about a year ago. If that is correct, then any car made before then or any balancer replaced before then, would be the old bad style.
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
It appears that the aftermarket units do not have the rubber bonding between two parts, but GM is still doing the new design units that way. There must be a reason, does anyone know why?
My corvette tech says that the after market dampers get complaints on vibration.
Last edited by Boomer111; Jan 5, 2013 at 06:26 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
