Harmonic Balancer Issue? (Video)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Harmonic Balancer Issue? (Video)
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
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
Last edited by s2kvince; Apr 4, 2016 at 07:47 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Texas
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.
Last edited by s2kvince; Apr 22, 2016 at 11:32 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Ohio
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 12
From: Yorktown Heights NY
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
It's about an 8 hour repair as I recall....I have video and photos of it
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
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
It's about an 8 hour repair as I recall....I have video and photos of it
Last edited by CMY SIX; Sep 18, 2016 at 12:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,437
Likes: 368
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Your HB looks fine!