Down Time for Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 628
From: Tempe Arizona
St. Jude Donor '22-'23-'24
Down Time for Harmonic Balancer Replacement
So I just might be the next victim of the dreaded harmonic balancer issue. I have been hearing some chirping in the mornings when I leave for work so I looked under the hood this morning after start-up and saw that it had a very slight wobble. From what I have read there should be none at all, right?
In any event, I am going to take her to the dealer this afternoon to have them confirm or deny my diagnoses. If they agree that the Harmonic Balancer needs to be replaced, what kind of down-time can I expect? Mind you this is a full-service, very large Chevy dealer in the Phoenix metro area. (Freeway Chevrolet for any of you who may have had them do this work for you - Arizona guys) What is exactly involved in replacing that part?
Thank you.
In any event, I am going to take her to the dealer this afternoon to have them confirm or deny my diagnoses. If they agree that the Harmonic Balancer needs to be replaced, what kind of down-time can I expect? Mind you this is a full-service, very large Chevy dealer in the Phoenix metro area. (Freeway Chevrolet for any of you who may have had them do this work for you - Arizona guys) What is exactly involved in replacing that part?
Thank you.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
The harmonic balancer will always look like its wobbling a bit. You need to first know if the chirp is from the HB or if it is from the belts. When I had the problem, I took it to my mechanic and it was confirmed as the HB causing the issue we installed an ATI underdrive unit! All is good! You should check it out immediately.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,689
Likes: 1,180
From: Raleigh
Just had mine done at Hendrick here in Norfolk. Car was in at 10 am in one day and out at 11 am the next day. HB, bolt and both belts replaced.
I think labor was listed around 5 hours total and they had to order the parts
I think labor was listed around 5 hours total and they had to order the parts
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 628
From: Tempe Arizona
St. Jude Donor '22-'23-'24
I just swung through the dealer at lunchtime and they said they would need to spend about 1 hour or so with the car to detirmine if there is a problem. So I have an appointment for first thing Friday morning to have them do that. They said to replace is typically a 1 day process for them. Drop off in the morning and pick it up that night.
Thank you everyone for your input.
Thank you everyone for your input.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
My belt on my 05 started to chirp in the mornings and I replaced the belt with a Gates belt and hasn't chirped in weeks...I suspect the original belt got dry,hard and caused this,my HB wobbles too and not worried at all.Spend a $1000 for a new HB if you want!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 628
From: Tempe Arizona
St. Jude Donor '22-'23-'24
Yes, I'm hoping they find it is just a worn belt. But I would rather find out for sure. I am still covered by the extended warranty so this should cost little to nothing.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
The harmonic balancer will always look like its wobbling a bit. You need to first know if the chirp is from the HB or if it is from the belts. When I had the problem, I took it to my mechanic and it was confirmed as the HB causing the issue we installed an ATI underdrive unit! All is good! You should check it out immediately.
The GM part will fail again, that is why I had an ATI unit installed and never looked back.