Harmonic Balancer replacement
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,986
Likes: 393
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
Lots of different opinions on this, I see the OP has a 2009 vette, and the balancer needs replacement... it went 16 ish years before failing? wouldn't necessarily call that a PITA wear item, time AND mileage play a big roll in parts wear.. FWIW i replaced my C5 pully with a 25% UD pully when I built it up as a heads / cam etc car, ran it and raced it for 12 + years and never had to replace it again but the original only went about 5 years...
Pro
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 729
Likes: 317
From: Ashevile, NC
ABSOLUTY use a PowerBond! Just as good as an ATI, far better than a stock GM replacement. Get it either from Summit or Rock Auto, should be about $210 or so. Only reason to go ATI is if you're going to boost it. Removing the steering rack is the biggest pain then it's relatively straight forward. You'll need a Chrysler style puller available at Auto Zone. Be certain to replace the crank seal AND the bolt as these are not designed for re-use. Get an installation tool also, don't use the old bolt! Get an ARP bolt and washer (about $40). If a manual trans put it into 6th gear and set the parking brake. If an automatic you're going to have to get a flywheel lock tool. Be very careful upon initial installation of the new balancer that it's straight on the crank. Double check the torque spec's but I believe it's 240 ft lb whick means you'll need a torque wrench good for a minimum of 250. Good time to put a new accessory belt on too. By the way, no need to pin the new balancer again unless you have plans for a super charger. If you're doing it yourself plan on a full day with a helper. Not a terrible project, just a PIA!!
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Seattle
I also replaced it with Powerbond. Looks good so far and I bet a lot of people would vouch for them. Also, while you are at it, replace the bolt that comes with the harmonic balancer and maybe the front crankshaft seal since it might have been rubbing against it when wobbling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 808
Likes: 286
From: Johns Creek, Georgia
Why would they do that if OEM balancers were not failing at a higher rate than other balancers. Mine failed at 42k,I never had a balancer
fail on any car I've ever owned.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 666
Guess were my car right now, towed to the dealership when all hell broke loose coming home. Smoke everywhere along burnt rubber!
There talking of dropping the engine cause belt did lot of damage to the oil pan, timing chain cover, pulley, tensioner along with bunch wires.
I think I'll be sick when I hear the estimate?
There talking of dropping the engine cause belt did lot of damage to the oil pan, timing chain cover, pulley, tensioner along with bunch wires.
I think I'll be sick when I hear the estimate?
Did you have any warning signs? Noise, wobble, etc?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,671
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
Guess were my car right now, towed to the dealership when all hell broke loose coming home. Smoke everywhere along burnt rubber!
There talking of dropping the engine cause belt did lot of damage to the oil pan, timing chain cover, pulley, tensioner along with bunch wires.
I think I'll be sick when I hear the estimate?
There talking of dropping the engine cause belt did lot of damage to the oil pan, timing chain cover, pulley, tensioner along with bunch wires.
I think I'll be sick when I hear the estimate?
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 224
Likes: 164
From: So Burbs Twin Cities
toys4life has some great videos on this and many other subjects. I had him install a Power Bond, GM bolt, belts and the shift cable (I have ATX). I saved a shitton of money and now have piece of mind on my 2006 LS2, with 30k miles .Oh, and the bushings on the shift cable were cracked, but still holding on.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,776
Likes: 5,623
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I just got texted EST, don't ask?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,776
Likes: 5,623
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Ouch, sorry to hear that. Looking at your pictures there seems to be a lot of belt left to have caused that much damage. Seems weird that a small amount of the belt letting go could cause that amount of damage requiring oil pan and timing chain cover replacement. Is there a hole in these covers?
Love the car too much, not to get fix and enjoy being behind the wheel.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 10
From: Dubuque, IA
I installed a powerbond just this week on my 2005 when I did my cam. I also bought a pinning fixture from amazon that worked really well for some piece of mind.
PowerBond PB1117N PowerBond Premium OEM Replacement Harmonic Balancers | Summit Racing
https://a.co/d/5e8epGk
PowerBond PB1117N PowerBond Premium OEM Replacement Harmonic Balancers | Summit Racing
https://a.co/d/5e8epGk
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,587
Likes: 1,667
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Not sure
IMO, of course Just want to rationalize my Powerbond purchace.
Spending the extra $200 (It is $357 more incl tax than a Powerbond oem-style)
for this balancer is money well spent. (for a non-modified engine??)
It is USA made (Powerbonds are made in Australia....they're our friends...right?)
and top quality. (Yet to hear of Powerbond quality issues).
for this balancer is money well spent. (for a non-modified engine??)
It is USA made (Powerbonds are made in Australia....they're our friends...right?)
and top quality. (Yet to hear of Powerbond quality issues).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 126
Likes: 13
From: Elk Grove Village Illinois
Keep in mind that their website says it has to be removed and sent in to be rebuilt etc every few years.....verified in their FAQ and by a sales rep of theirs
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 666
I run ATI on a few drag racing engines (low to mid 10s) and they have been on the engine for 10+ years and the balancer looks like new.
If you are putting down over 1,000 HP + then I can see having the balancer checked rebuilt after hears of drag racing.
When GM wants to avoid HB failure in engines, including the LS series, they always use ATI exclusively. GM uses ATI balancers in their OEM applications with supercharges.
Last edited by Pettrix; Jun 1, 2025 at 06:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 666
Forum member Rebob0510 has built over race 50 engines and uses exclusively ATI dampeners on engines that make over 800 horsepower and he has not had 1 failure to date of ATI and has not had to rebuild any ATI balancers. He's used Power Bond in the past wiith low HP and he had some come apart after only 2 years of use.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 126
Likes: 13
From: Elk Grove Village Illinois
That is to maintain SFI Certification. I have not heard of one ATI balancer ever failing. Search the forums and tried to find one single post or thread of the ATI failing. What I can find is dozens of factory balancers failing and a few failures of the Summit balancers failing.
I run ATI on a few drag racing engines (low to mid 10s) and they have been on the engine for 10+ years and the balancer looks like new.
If you are putting down over 1,000 HP + then I can see having the balancer checked rebuilt after hears of drag racing.
When GM wants to avoid HB failure in engines, including the LS series, they always use ATI exclusively. GM uses ATI balancers in their OEM applications with supercharges.
I run ATI on a few drag racing engines (low to mid 10s) and they have been on the engine for 10+ years and the balancer looks like new.
If you are putting down over 1,000 HP + then I can see having the balancer checked rebuilt after hears of drag racing.
When GM wants to avoid HB failure in engines, including the LS series, they always use ATI exclusively. GM uses ATI balancers in their OEM applications with supercharges.