Harmonic balancer problems
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
This makes a lot of sense to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
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From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Me too, and it's the first thing I've seen in all these HB threads that makes sense as to WHY it happens -- aside from faulty materials and/or shoddy manufacturing processes.
But that begs the question: Was the same HB put on other cars besides the C6? Do they have around the same amount of failures? GMtech is more or less saying that they were designed specifically for the Corvette.
But that begs the question: Was the same HB put on other cars besides the C6? Do they have around the same amount of failures? GMtech is more or less saying that they were designed specifically for the Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,150
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The balancer problem has been around since the first Corvette LS1 engine back in 1997.
You may have also heard of problems with the needle bearings in the rocker arms falling out ... That too has been around since the 1997 LS1 engine, although not very common as of lately.
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You may have also heard of problems with the needle bearings in the rocker arms falling out ... That too has been around since the 1997 LS1 engine, although not very common as of lately.
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Last edited by Turbo6TA; Oct 15, 2015 at 07:28 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 509
Likes: 62
My '13 LS3 base car started to get a pretty bad wobble early this year. Replaced with an ATI and never looked back. Incredible difference in build quality (also 10x more expensive). I imagine the problem becomes more common when you're hard on the car, which I am.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 104
From: Texas
The poll shows 67%. So keep an eye on it...but figure the probability is low and it does not cause catastrophic engine damage. Plus froggy on youtube shows you how to do it yourself even so who cares? ....
Last edited by Cor430vette; Oct 16, 2015 at 10:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
10 times more expensive? My ATI cost about $400. Don't want to be a dick but that comment could scare a lot of people away from buying a far superior product for only a couple of hundred dollars more. Small change considering the overall cost of the work and what you get for the money.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
Great post windy, as usual. 
I can't think of all the GM vehicles I've had in my lifetime (which most of them were) but they run from the first being a 1961 Corvair and the last (excluding the C6) was a 1998 S-10.
NOT ONE ISSUE with harmonic balancers, but NOW they can't get them right? -- and, as you said, the problem is mostly on their flagship car?
I've also had several Fords, one Plymouth, and numerous J.a.p. trucks -- no HB issues.
I can't think of all the GM vehicles I've had in my lifetime (which most of them were) but they run from the first being a 1961 Corvair and the last (excluding the C6) was a 1998 S-10.
NOT ONE ISSUE with harmonic balancers, but NOW they can't get them right? -- and, as you said, the problem is mostly on their flagship car?
I've also had several Fords, one Plymouth, and numerous J.a.p. trucks -- no HB issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
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From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Well...Well...Well BRUZE.....we had one of those early sixties"Air-Vairs" too...LOL. can't remember what year it was. It was the first car I ever drove and subsequently learned to drive on. Ol 3-speed manual on the floor. I personally loved the thing, Who cares if it threw a little oil all over the rear bumper and things...LOLOL. And I guess the heater could have worked a little better. But what the heck did I know back then....LOL. And just between you and I...did they even have a harmonic balancer...LOL. I guess it could have been tucked up under there somewhere. As far as the balancers on our C-6's....some good thoughts in here to be sure, its just a crying shame we pay good $$$ for these things and what should be one of the most reliable parts shoots craps........in my opinion...
It was the "rear" (front actually) main seal and after beating the crap out of it for a couple of days the tranny input shaft snapped. I had to take it apart at that point and fix it, and of course replaced the seal too.
My dad picked up the input shaft at a Chevy dealer's and I'm quite sure it was like $9.95 (that was about 2/3 of a week's pay for me). All in all it was a good learning experience for a dumb teenager.
I'm sure it had a HB, although it would have been on the rear of the engine. No trouble with THAT though.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 496
Likes: 77
From: Waipahu Hawaii
10 times more expensive? My ATI cost about $400. Don't want to be a dick but that comment could scare a lot of people away from buying a far superior product for only a couple of hundred dollars more. Small change considering the overall cost of the work and what you get for the money.
I looked online, and there seems to be many different models. Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 165
From: Lombard, IL (Chicago suburbs)
10 times more expensive? My ATI cost about $400. Don't want to be a dick but that comment could scare a lot of people away from buying a far superior product for only a couple of hundred dollars more. Small change considering the overall cost of the work and what you get for the money.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
Yup, mine was a 3-on-the-floor also. And leak oil? -- wow. I paid $75 for mine and it would leave a puddle a couple of feet in diameter under the engine. I bought "remanufactured" oil from Noah's Ark for, I don't know, maybe half a buck for a gallon can.
It was the "rear" (front actually) main seal and after beating the crap out of it for a couple of days the tranny input shaft snapped. I had to take it apart at that point and fix it, and of course replaced the seal too.
My dad picked up the input shaft at a Chevy dealer's and I'm quite sure it was like $9.95 (that was about 2/3 of a week's pay for me). All in all it was a good learning experience for a dumb teenager.
I'm sure it had a HB, although it would have been on the rear of the engine. No trouble with THAT though.
It was the "rear" (front actually) main seal and after beating the crap out of it for a couple of days the tranny input shaft snapped. I had to take it apart at that point and fix it, and of course replaced the seal too.
My dad picked up the input shaft at a Chevy dealer's and I'm quite sure it was like $9.95 (that was about 2/3 of a week's pay for me). All in all it was a good learning experience for a dumb teenager.
I'm sure it had a HB, although it would have been on the rear of the engine. No trouble with THAT though.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Yea....and I bet the HB was probably soaked in oil and still performed flawlessly....LOL. If memory serves, didn't they have the V-belt routed in a way that had that 90 degree turn in it ?...or am I thinking of another rear engine beast ? Every time I see one for sale I think to myself...."do I want this thing for ol times sake ?"......and then reality kicks in and I say "Nah". But i do like your solution to the oil problem by using re-ferbed oil. A smart/frugal way to address the issue.
I was trying to picture the v-belt system and I think you're right -- it had a right angle in it. Not sure why, all it drove was the alternator on mine, not even sure if PS was an option then.
LOL, "remanufactured" oil -- okay for a $75 car, wouldn't recommend putting it in a Vette.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Woodlands TX
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
The HB would have been at the rear of the car, and the "rear" main seal was on the front of the engine where the transaxle was.
I was trying to picture the v-belt system and I think you're right -- it had a right angle in it. Not sure why, all it drove was the alternator on mine, not even sure if PS was an option then.
LOL, "remanufactured" oil -- okay for a $75 car, wouldn't recommend putting it in a Vette.
I was trying to picture the v-belt system and I think you're right -- it had a right angle in it. Not sure why, all it drove was the alternator on mine, not even sure if PS was an option then.
LOL, "remanufactured" oil -- okay for a $75 car, wouldn't recommend putting it in a Vette.