s2kvince

I've been dealing with a squeak that I'm assuming is related to the harmonic balancer. I removed the main drive belt and it did not change the noise level. There seems to be noticeable wobble, but I've seen some posts where people consider this to be normal.

Should I try changing the AC drive belt or just go ahead and deal with the repair cost of the balancer? Is it a difficult job where I need to ensure I use a factory certified technician or is it just time-intensive?

What's a good, reasonably-priced aftermarket option?

Thanks



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWVI...ature=youtu.be

schpenxel

Remove AC belt and see if the noise goes away.

HBsurfer

If you removed the main belt and the noise did not go away, the balancer is not causing the noise. Good chance it is the tensioner pulley on the a/c.

The people who say a wobbling HB is normal are the LS owners who have a little wobble and choose to "keep an eye on it". We are all stuck with an inferior design there and it is an expensive repair. A new balancer will cost anywhere from $200 to $450 and labor to install will be 6-8 hours.

s2kvince

Thanks, I will try that. I just bought the car last week, so I'm not itching to drop $1000+ on a repair if I can get rid of the noise and just keep an eye on the balancer.

BullittEV

does the squeak go away after the engine has been running?

05 Wreck

With the engine running, spray (one at a time) the ribbed area of both belts with alittle WD40. If it's the belts you'll notice right away.

Not So Fast

Does seem to have a pretty bad wobble
NSF

s2kvince

I swapped both belts and gave it a few weeks, but it's still running quiet. It's not driven very often, so I might hear the dreaded chirp eventually, but so far, so good. Based on the labor costs, I'll just keep an eye on the balancer for now unless the chirp returns.

schpenxel

I prefer grease on mine

Not So Fast

yes

05 Wreck

Just a squirt, don't saturate. WD40 will evaporate with heat in just a few revolutions. If it's the belt, the chirping will go away immediately and return when the WD40 evaporates.

extrapilot

Get your garden hose out, water should temporally take the squeak out for a bit or at least change the pitch of the noise.

95BLKVette

I replaced the harmonic damper pulley on my 99 C5 last year and it had exactly the same symptoms. The replacement requires removal of the steering rack which is the biggest challenge in my opinion. C5's and 6's are known for this problem and yours is getting to the point that you will get stuck somewhere when the rubber totally separates entirely from between the pulley and inner race....then your car dies on the side of the road.
It's about an 8 hour repair as I recall....I have video and photos of it

CMY SIX

it was about 3 hours when they did mine, that is normal movement for an HB but the forum engineers will tell you that's about to fail, they have no Idea how it's supposed to work, use a little belt dressing and the squeak will go away, I hope they pop the hood and look at their other cars, they'll be running to the dealer screaming the HB's gonna fail!!!!!

TCW

Your HB looks fine!

Tom

Arkyvette

Once the belt starts moving around enough to chirp, it is time to plan out your replacement. It could last another 10 years, or it could fly apart tomorrow. Are you feeling lucky? :-)