Harmonic Balancer
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Grayslake Illnions
Harmonic Balancer
Has anyone had issues with there harmonic balancer on a fairly low mileage 08 convertible base she has about 16,000 on her now and the last time I had the dealer check her out the corvette specialist said that was an issue that would need to be addressed soon. I have noticed a slight vibration but did not know if this was just the car so with that said are these a smooth running or a slight rough with a little lobe like the old days?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Do a search here ..... There are many many threads about wobbling HB failures on the C6.
When you have it replaced [do not] replace it will another OEM balancer ... go aftermarket
When you have it replaced [do not] replace it will another OEM balancer ... go aftermarket
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Texas
And any amount of wobble/wiggle/dancing/whatever means it's time to replace. Regardless if others say 'mines wobbled for 40k miles and it's fine', As turbo said go aftermarket. A replacement aftermarket will spin straight as an arrow
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Joined: Apr 2019
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Has anyone had issues with there harmonic balancer on a fairly low mileage 08 convertible base she has about 16,000 on her now and the last time I had the dealer check her out the corvette specialist said that was an issue that would need to be addressed soon. I have noticed a slight vibration but did not know if this was just the car so with that said are these a smooth running or a slight rough with a little lobe like the old days?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
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From: Chino CA
There have been people on this forum who have has to replace their balancer at as low as 4,000 miles. Several who have replaced them with another GM balancer have had to replace it more than once.
My made it to 25,000 miles. Replaced it with an ATI. Smooth as silk since then.
My made it to 25,000 miles. Replaced it with an ATI. Smooth as silk since then.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 308
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From: Buffalo
Is it chirping? If not and the wobble is slight as you say just leave it be and check the wobble every once in a while. And dealers are dealers. Just because it can or will be an issue does't mean it currently is.
I'd do your research and dig around here. Ton of discussion on it. As has been said, just dont use the oem one.
I'd do your research and dig around here. Ton of discussion on it. As has been said, just dont use the oem one.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: CONCORD CA.
i'm far from a worrisome type but, if you start getting a chirp ( assuming it's the H/B ), in the back of mind, every time I'm on a drive,
I'd be thinking about when it's going to fail. this to me, this is a mechanical check engine light ( chirping & wobble ).
this will only get worse and it won't get any cheaper by waiting ( just the opposite if it lets go ).
with tires, you get a visual of their lifespan. the H/B not so much ( except as noted above ).
no wobble or chirp, let it go. otherwise, it's letting you know it ready for replacement.
I'd be thinking about when it's going to fail. this to me, this is a mechanical check engine light ( chirping & wobble ).
this will only get worse and it won't get any cheaper by waiting ( just the opposite if it lets go ).
with tires, you get a visual of their lifespan. the H/B not so much ( except as noted above ).
no wobble or chirp, let it go. otherwise, it's letting you know it ready for replacement.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Granada Hills CA
I have 63,000 miles on my '13 GS vert and no wobble.
Last edited by Bob Paris; Jul 8, 2019 at 05:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: CONCORD CA.
be curious to see who has the most mileage, with the original H/B still in place(?).
these seems to be one of those parts that, while intermittent in mileage, will pop up eventually.
I don't recall hearing anyone saying that, they had one fail, without warning.
these seems to be one of those parts that, while intermittent in mileage, will pop up eventually.
I don't recall hearing anyone saying that, they had one fail, without warning.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 59
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From: Missouri
My 05 Base has 87k on the clock and the HB appears to be fine...for now. Not sure if it was replaced prior to my purchase of the car though (I've only had it for month or so and I'm the 3rd owner). Here's to hoping!
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From: Drain Oregon
2016 C6 of the Year Finalist
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2016
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From: Grayslake Illnions
Thank you all for your responces this has been great! Ihave an LS3 6.0 in my H2 and have had no issues so was not surre if this was a vette thing sure seems that way welp at least now I know to reasearch on an after market Hb and see whats out there. thank you all..
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My 2011 GS has 19,000 miles on it.
My stock OEM balancer did not wobble at all, but I replaced it with a new 'PowerBond Race Performance' balancer (P/N: PB1117SS) because the balancer needed to be pinned since I was going to install a supercharger.
I could not see going through all the trouble of pinning the stock balancer, with the possibility of it failing later on, so I just changed it to something more reliable.
I have not heard of any failures of the PB1117SS
It's secured with an ARP bolt.
My stock OEM balancer did not wobble at all, but I replaced it with a new 'PowerBond Race Performance' balancer (P/N: PB1117SS) because the balancer needed to be pinned since I was going to install a supercharger.
I could not see going through all the trouble of pinning the stock balancer, with the possibility of it failing later on, so I just changed it to something more reliable.
I have not heard of any failures of the PB1117SS
It's secured with an ARP bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Has anyone had issues with there harmonic balancer on a fairly low mileage 08 convertible base she has about 16,000 on her now and the last time I had the dealer check her out the corvette specialist said that was an issue that would need to be addressed soon. I have noticed a slight vibration but did not know if this was just the car so with that said are these a smooth running or a slight rough with a little lobe like the old days?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 640
Likes: 146
From: Texas
Coffee...Understand THIS one issue...It is in a Corvette Dealer Mechanic's DNA to tell every customer who brings in a C6 that their HB is bad. Fact is, most HB's have some degree of wobble, so the mech. will say something like, "your harmonic balancer is wobbling, and should be replaced before it comes off". Replacing the HB is a cottage industry for Chevy dealers. Yes, the HB can go bad, but just because yours has a slight wobble does not mean it will not go another 100K. Many will flame me for saying so, but the fact is that if the dealer mech. did not mention it, most owners would never have it replaced, and would never have a problem with it. However, if it starts squeaking, or wobbles badly, it probably should be replaced.