Harmonic balancer went out?

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Mar 5, 2012 | 06:50 PM

roadtripwheels

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 5

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Harmonic balancer went out?

I've had a chirp for a while now, changed the accessory belt, compressor belt, tension pulley, alternator, finally took it to a dealership. Diagnosed as the harmonic balancer going out, 3 months after the power train warranty expired. Anyone else have this happen? Sounds more like a manufacturer defect. Those shouldn't go out at 58,000 miles.

Mar 5, 2012 | 07:34 PM

wysiwyg

Racer

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 342

Likes: 1

From: San Antonio TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtripwheels

The harmonic balancer wobble/failing appears to be a common issue.

Search for harmonic balancer on the forum and you'll find many posts discussing the issue.

There was a recent posting by a forum member who had success in having GM pay a portion of the bill for the HB replacement on his C6.

Edited to add: Found the link I mentioned above http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...eat-story.html

Good luck.

Last edited by wysiwyg; Mar 6, 2012 at 02:11 PM.

Mar 6, 2012 | 11:38 AM

stivette

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 246

Likes: 18

From: Leander TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtripwheels

Common... mine started chirping at 9800 miles..

Mar 6, 2012 | 10:14 PM

Gering

Tolero Apto Victum

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 9,669

Likes: 37

From: Woodlands TX

OP: I had the wobbles with my stock balancer and replaced it with these two items. Now with many many miles down the road, I have never had a problem since.

http://store.katechengines.com/bille...sioner-p2.aspx

http://store.katechengines.com/ati-s...ts-v-p230.aspx

Good luck with your repairs.

Mar 6, 2012 | 11:24 PM

out4uv8

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 167

Likes: 0

Just paid to have mine replaced after having the chirp at 36k and just seeing the visual shake. If the engine looks like its going to twist out of the motor mounts and start doing 540* rotations down the road, then its definitely the balancer. Any seasoned GM mechanic has done the repair before and while its rated at 3.5hrs labor, it took them 5hrs on mine. Price ranges from $950 to $1050, but hopefully you can get out of some of that. Good Luck!

Mar 7, 2012 | 12:54 AM

paganharley

Racer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 392

Likes: 10

From: rutherfordton North Carolina

St. Jude Donor '11

Mine went out taking the timing chain cover and front oil seal. 1300 dollars. I replaced it with one from summit racing that was 25 per cent underdriven. Plus rated to 12000 rpms. No way was I going back with oem even if it did cost me more. I had 55k when it went.

Mar 7, 2012 | 08:09 AM

Gering

Tolero Apto Victum

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 9,669

Likes: 37

From: Woodlands TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganharley

Mine went out taking the timing chain cover and front oil seal. 1300 dollars. I replaced it with one from summit racing that was 25 per cent underdriven. Plus rated to 12000 rpms. No way was I going back with oem even if it did cost me more. I had 55k when it went.

Mar 8, 2012 | 10:38 PM

mrbillbw1

Heel & Toe

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: San Diego Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtripwheels

Buy an aftermarket pulley and do your homework to find someone in your area that is familiar with this procedure on a C-6. If they have done it before they will be able to do it way cheaper than any dealer. It can be done in 3.5 to 4.5 hours if they know what their doing. My local blower shop did one for me at 4.5 hrs. Put car up on hoist, remove front suspension cradle, disconnect steering rack (leave hoses connected) and push to one side, then access harmonic damper. Its not that bad of a job for a well qualified mechanic that has done a few. If its their first then it will be a PITA!