Harmonic balancer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
This topic has been discussed a lot here lately. Use the Search > Click for Advanced Search > Keyword "harmonic balancer" > Search in Forum(s) "C6 Corvette General Discussion" > Search Now. You'll find a wealth of information.
In a nutshell, the OEM harmonic balancer for the C6 has a very bad reputation as a cheap and failure-prone design. Dealerships love it as a cash cow because every one that fails earns them $1000 - $1200 in repair revenues. Most CF users who have had their HB fail will recommend one of the aftermarket harmonic balancer replacements. They're more expensive than the OEM, but you'll only have to pay the labor one time.
In a nutshell, the OEM harmonic balancer for the C6 has a very bad reputation as a cheap and failure-prone design. Dealerships love it as a cash cow because every one that fails earns them $1000 - $1200 in repair revenues. Most CF users who have had their HB fail will recommend one of the aftermarket harmonic balancer replacements. They're more expensive than the OEM, but you'll only have to pay the labor one time.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
This topic has been discussed a lot here lately. Use the Search > Click for Advanced Search > Keyword "harmonic balancer" > Search in Forum(s) "C6 Corvette General Discussion" > Search Now. You'll find a wealth of information.
In a nutshell, the OEM harmonic balancer for the C6 has a very bad reputation as a cheap and failure-prone design. Dealerships love it as a cash cow because every one that fails earns them $1000 - $1200 in repair revenues. Most CF users who have had their HB fail will recommend one of the aftermarket harmonic balancer replacements. They're more expensive than the OEM, but you'll only have to pay the labor one time.
In a nutshell, the OEM harmonic balancer for the C6 has a very bad reputation as a cheap and failure-prone design. Dealerships love it as a cash cow because every one that fails earns them $1000 - $1200 in repair revenues. Most CF users who have had their HB fail will recommend one of the aftermarket harmonic balancer replacements. They're more expensive than the OEM, but you'll only have to pay the labor one time.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 515
From: Hill Country Texas
PowerBond Race Series is the best LS balancer for the money. ATI and IV are expensive and not worth the extra coin for most applications. Use the ARP crank bolt and have a shop tell you how they will apply the ARP lube and proper torque foot pounds (wanna say it's 235 ft. lbs.) so that you know, that they know, what they are doing.
A good shop who knows what they are doing can do this for the $700 range, if you supply the parts. Look for coupon codes at AutoZone.com and you actually buy one there, and have it drop shipped directly from Dayco in Memphis to your door.
A good shop who knows what they are doing can do this for the $700 range, if you supply the parts. Look for coupon codes at AutoZone.com and you actually buy one there, and have it drop shipped directly from Dayco in Memphis to your door.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 515
From: Hill Country Texas
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Brett Foote
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 552
Likes: 58
From: western NC, USA
I wouldn't go back with a factory balancer. I bought a ATI because it comes with a lot of recommendation. My balancer wasn't causing problems but I was getting a cam swap and, considering the cost of doing it alone, I could just as easily do it at the same time with no additional labor cost. The harmonic balancer bolt is a one-time only bolt; cannot be reused since it stretches when torqued. Hmm...thought about camming that thing since you're that far into it?....lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
Had mine done at independent shop, parts around $400 Power bond 1117ss, belts, seal, new bolt. Labor was $500. So much better looking at the balancer spinning like it should instead of a drunk sailor walking
NSF
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 970
Likes: 34
From: Maine
Even if you take the rack completely out, you still don't need to do an alignment! You're not changing the distance between the tie rod ends because you're not separating them from the rack. The tie rod ends are tapered so they will return exactly to location when reinstalled. The only other concern would be the centering of the steering wheel but there is not nearly enough play in the rack mounting on the Cradle to cause that to happen a noticeable amount. It would certainly still be well within tolerances of their alignment either way. It's amazing what a bunch of lying thieves GM dealers are.
Last edited by Pete2k_Z28; Apr 25, 2018 at 08:25 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 256
From: Shawnee, OK
You should be able to have an ATI SuperDampr and seal installed for $900 including cost of the parts. Purchase a key way kit too, forgot the cost, and have the ATI pinned to the crank. Worth the pennies.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 640
Likes: 146
From: Texas
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
damage the crank snout and you will be into it for a few thousand
Last edited by irok; Apr 26, 2018 at 11:11 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 515
From: Hill Country Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Now that everyone has told you how much, I am curious as to why you are replacing it.
If you say, "it wobbles", just about all of them wobble. It is a matter of how much wobble.
If you say, "The dealer said I needed it"...every dealer will tell you that you need it.
If you say, "It squeaks", that may be a sign, or you might need a new pulley, or belts.
So, why are you replacing it....?
If you say, "it wobbles", just about all of them wobble. It is a matter of how much wobble.
If you say, "The dealer said I needed it"...every dealer will tell you that you need it.
If you say, "It squeaks", that may be a sign, or you might need a new pulley, or belts.
So, why are you replacing it....?