Oh crap...Harmonic Balancer Failure!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 249
From: Winter Springs, Florida
Oh crap...Harmonic Balancer Failure!!
As the title says...I believe my HB has failed. This part was replaced last year as a precaution after buying my vette. I had it replaced by "The" most highly recommended shop it town. This sucker didn't even last a year...it failed in my garage (thankfully) at 1,981 miles.It made a racket at start up this morning...btw the ac belt was thrown off the pulley when it happened. I have contacted the shop to discus repairs. I will keep you posted. But for now...what are your thoughts on how to proceed?? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Next balancer you purchase should be this ...
It won't fail like the one you had installed a short time ago:
Powerbond Race Performance Harmonic Balancer
P/N: PB1117SS
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...model/corvette
_______________________________
Another option is an ATI balancer ... Excellent, but costs twice as much as the Powerbond
.
It won't fail like the one you had installed a short time ago:
Powerbond Race Performance Harmonic Balancer
P/N: PB1117SS
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...model/corvette
_______________________________
Another option is an ATI balancer ... Excellent, but costs twice as much as the Powerbond
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Mar 7, 2019 at 01:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 249
From: Winter Springs, Florida
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
can't tell from the picture, but did it actually fail, or just come loose?
either way, your shop should be on the hook for this repair.
fingers crossed with me, I just replaced my HB a few weeks ago ( power bond ).
original lasted 145k miles. luckily it gave me a warning first ( chirping ).
either way, your shop should be on the hook for this repair.
fingers crossed with me, I just replaced my HB a few weeks ago ( power bond ).
original lasted 145k miles. luckily it gave me a warning first ( chirping ).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 1,407
From: Canada
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 285
I agree. GM or OEM HB should last at least 50K miles. My GM factory HB started chipping and caused me to watch it as the engine was running. I then saw the wobble. Car had 45,000 on it at the time.
Last edited by Trebor; Mar 7, 2019 at 03:34 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
Your crank pulley is definitely several inches forward of where it belongs. Did it actually fail (i.e. separate from the hub) or did the entire balancer just fall off?
If it fell off, that suggests an installation error.
If it fell off, that suggests an installation error.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,712
Likes: 174
From: Chatham NY
St. Jude Donor '13, '15-'16,'18 thru '25
Not for nothing but it wouldn't hurt to call the shop and ask about a warranty at least on parts.
Last year I got a throttle body from my Chevy dealer and it crapped out 6 months later, the dealer said the part had a 1 year warranty.
Just last week I had a caliper on my dd go bad, it too had a 1 year warranty. Pads and caliper were replaced for free, labor was not included.
Last year I got a throttle body from my Chevy dealer and it crapped out 6 months later, the dealer said the part had a 1 year warranty.
Just last week I had a caliper on my dd go bad, it too had a 1 year warranty. Pads and caliper were replaced for free, labor was not included.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 783
Likes: 224
From: Chilliwack BC Canada
The failure of a brand new part in such a short period certainly indicates a factor other than wear or a suspect design flaw.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
at 50k miles, I feel blessed. I got almost 3x that. I'm sure that the HB is on stock LS3's, are the same as the head issue on LS7's.
you know their going to go at some time. so the question is when do you decide to bite the bullet?
not sure about the LS7 head issue, as far as any warning signs. as I mentioned above, my HB started its demise with a chirping noise.
I've heard though, if you're still running a stock LS3, replacing the HB with a Power Bond or ATI, you should expect any long term issues.
you know their going to go at some time. so the question is when do you decide to bite the bullet?
not sure about the LS7 head issue, as far as any warning signs. as I mentioned above, my HB started its demise with a chirping noise.
I've heard though, if you're still running a stock LS3, replacing the HB with a Power Bond or ATI, you should expect any long term issues.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 249
From: Winter Springs, Florida
FWIW...it is a six groove pulley and belt. The pulley sheared off and the hub is still bolted to the crank. Initial word from the shop was that the part is warranted for 12 months and the labor for three. The fact that this “new” part failed so soon (< 2,000 miles) just irks me...I hope they realize that it shouldn’t have happened and agree to some compromise on the labor for repairs. I believe they have an opportunity here to do the right thing. Either way, I’ll post when I here back from them. Thanks for listening...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
FWIW...it is a six groove pulley and belt. The pulley sheared off and the hub is still bolted to the crank. Initial word from the shop was that the part is warranted for 12 months and the labor for three. The fact that this “new” part failed so soon (< 2,000 miles) just irks me...I hope they realize that it shouldn’t have happened and agree to some compromise on the labor for repairs. I believe they have an opportunity here to do the right thing. Either way, I’ll post when I here back from them. Thanks for listening...
A break on labor would be nice, but I don't think you're owed one.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 113
From: Brick NJ
Should last the life of the motor, My balancer didn't make it past 35k miles
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 3,485
From: Granada Hills CA
Don't worry. While there has been a pattern of HB failures noted on this board, yours will probably be OK. If it fails, it fails. Forget about the nervous Nellies on the Forum that DREAD this and that. Enjoy!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
FWIW...it is a six groove pulley and belt. The pulley sheared off and the hub is still bolted to the crank. Initial word from the shop was that the part is warranted for 12 months and the labor for three. The fact that this “new” part failed so soon (< 2,000 miles) just irks me...I hope they realize that it shouldn’t have happened and agree to some compromise on the labor for repairs. I believe they have an opportunity here to do the right thing. Either way, I’ll post when I here back from them. Thanks for listening...
