Harmonic Balancer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
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From: Back in North Central OH
Harmonic Balancer
I know there is a lot of information concerning changing out the harmonic balancer. My question is a little different. The local dealership quoted $1300 labor (I bough the balancer from Summit.) A local independent shop said $500-550 based on 6 hours that his book says it will take. Seems like a no brainer except he's not a Corvette. What are the potential pitfalls of having a competent mechanic do this, likely for the first time? Can the steering be messed up if not completed correctly? I watched an 8 minute video of a guy doing it by unbolting the upper control arms, dropping the sway bar down, loosening the front bots on the steering rack, and raining the engine up slightly. It took him about two hours but I'm not sure about the feasibility of that method.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 809
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
$1300 is a bit high. It is a job that a competent mechanic can easily do, $550 to $700 (+ parts) seems like a good number. Dealerships are always higher
than independent shops and don't always put their top guy on it just because it is a Corvette.
than independent shops and don't always put their top guy on it just because it is a Corvette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just for a price comparison...... My shop (Futral) supplied the balancer and did a cam job for around 3,500 if I remember right.... about a year ago.
So fortunate to have Futral about 40 minutes away!!!!!
So fortunate to have Futral about 40 minutes away!!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 207
From: Columbus Ohio
I’m currently waiting for the dealership to get the harmonic balancer that’s on, “back order” but that’s all BS. I asked about using an aftermarket option and they said if we go that route they won’t warranty anything. It’s been almost 2 months since requesting the replacement part that doesn’t exist.
Everyone I call acts like it’s such a bid deal to replace the harmonic balancer on these cars. Tries to rip you off left and right. A local corvette shop here in Columbus wants $1800. I got my local dealership down to $1400ish out the door labor/part. If I can find someone with a lift that they would let me use I would attempt the replacement myself. I called all over town and even had many places refuse to take on the replacement. Best of luck to everyone on finding someone/place that will not rip you off and do a quality replacement. Luckily I don’t drive my Vette daily so it’s not a big deal waiting out the dealership because I don’t drive mine that often.
Everyone I call acts like it’s such a bid deal to replace the harmonic balancer on these cars. Tries to rip you off left and right. A local corvette shop here in Columbus wants $1800. I got my local dealership down to $1400ish out the door labor/part. If I can find someone with a lift that they would let me use I would attempt the replacement myself. I called all over town and even had many places refuse to take on the replacement. Best of luck to everyone on finding someone/place that will not rip you off and do a quality replacement. Luckily I don’t drive my Vette daily so it’s not a big deal waiting out the dealership because I don’t drive mine that often.
Last edited by LCZ06; Aug 3, 2023 at 03:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
I’m currently waiting for the dealership to get the harmonic balancer that’s on, “back order” but that’s all BS. I asked about using an aftermarket option and they said if we go that route they won’t warranty anything. It’s been almost 2 months since requesting the replacement part that doesn’t exist.
Everyone I call acts like it’s such a bid deal to replace the harmonic balancer on these cars. Tries to rip you off left and right. A local corvette shop here in Columbus wants $1800. I got my local dealership down to $1400ish out the door labor/part. If I can find someone with a lift that they would let me use I would attempt the replacement myself. I called all over town and even had many places refuse to take on the replacement. Best of luck to everyone on finding someone/place that will not rip you off and do a quality replacement. Luckily I don’t drive my Vette daily so it’s not a big deal waiting out the dealership because I don’t drive mine that often.
Everyone I call acts like it’s such a bid deal to replace the harmonic balancer on these cars. Tries to rip you off left and right. A local corvette shop here in Columbus wants $1800. I got my local dealership down to $1400ish out the door labor/part. If I can find someone with a lift that they would let me use I would attempt the replacement myself. I called all over town and even had many places refuse to take on the replacement. Best of luck to everyone on finding someone/place that will not rip you off and do a quality replacement. Luckily I don’t drive my Vette daily so it’s not a big deal waiting out the dealership because I don’t drive mine that often.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
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Drifting
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 676
From: Lakeland, Florida
My local shop (an experienced GM and Corvette high Performance specialist) did it for $1052.00 total (labor + parts), using an ATI Super Damper and ARP crank bolt. Dropped off in the morning picked it up after work.
If you can find a mechanic that has done this before (like a lot), it would be worth a long (longer) drive considering how critical the HB is to your engine.
Get it done right the first time and never worry about it again, even if you sacrifice a long trip - remember this is your CORVETTE.
If you can find a mechanic that has done this before (like a lot), it would be worth a long (longer) drive considering how critical the HB is to your engine.
Get it done right the first time and never worry about it again, even if you sacrifice a long trip - remember this is your CORVETTE.
Last edited by Dzv69; Aug 4, 2023 at 12:30 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
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From: Question Government
I personally would only trust my independent mechanic with Corvette experience to replace the HB. I wouldn't bicker over a few hundred dollars, but would ask about using an aftermarket HB for sure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 207
From: Columbus Ohio
The independent shop that quoted me $500-550 is about an hour north of you. If it works out I can let you know how it goes. you may want to bring it up here. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow to see if I can get a price guarantee. I haven't heard anything good about the GM replacement so I went with Summit Racing.
Last edited by LCZ06; Aug 4, 2023 at 11:26 AM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2020
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I'm having mine done next Friday. I was quoted about $1300 for everything. They're giving me a Powerbond balancer and 6 hours labor. I should mention that's in Canadian dollars so the equivalent in American would be about $250 and change! Just kidding. It's about $975 so a pretty good deal.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
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From: Back in North Central OH
Finally got my harmonic balancer installed by a local mechanic. He charged me $370 labor. I supplied a Summit Racing balancer, new bolt and crank seal. Around $650 total. If you're in North Central Ohio he might be worth checking out.
Drifting
Joined: May 2019
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From: Lakeland, Florida
Racer
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 410
Likes: 157
From: Mn
I had mine done a month ago from a performance shop near me. I bought the parts and they did the work. 1000.00 labor and parts were under 300.00. I would not go to a dealership as they will just replace the stock part that failed with another stock part that will fail as well. Summit racing was my choice and a great local shop did the work as they know Corvettes and always get it right the first time. As they say.... you get what you pay for.
Race Director
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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I changed mine out a couple of years ago with the Summit unit. I had the help of two friends who are very handy with a wrench as well. Mine was a little more labour intensive as my car has a Vortech supercharger installed. Some of the brackets were in the way. We also had to re-pin the crank which took some time. I went ahead and installed new belts while everything was apart.