Harmonic balancer replacement
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,487
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Harmonic balancer replacement
It finally happened. After 11 years (8 of those with the supercharger) and almost 40K miles, my 2006 LS2 has the dreaded harmonic balancer wobble.
I am considering an aftermarket unit for better reliability and have a few questions.
1. I have a Vortech V2 supercharger installed. Do the aftermarket balancers have the same pulley diameter as the stock balancer?
2. My crankshaft is pinned. Will that affect removal and install of the balancer?
3. What is the preferred method of removal? Take out the steering rack or drop the engine cradle? I pulled the rack when I pinned the crank but found out later that the crank bolt can be accessed by dropping the cradle. Concerned about room to remove the balancer.
4. What aftermarket balancer have most used?
I plan to do the work myself with the help of friends that helped with the SC install. I have lots of time as the car is not a DD.
Thanks for any and all help.
I am considering an aftermarket unit for better reliability and have a few questions.
1. I have a Vortech V2 supercharger installed. Do the aftermarket balancers have the same pulley diameter as the stock balancer?
2. My crankshaft is pinned. Will that affect removal and install of the balancer?
3. What is the preferred method of removal? Take out the steering rack or drop the engine cradle? I pulled the rack when I pinned the crank but found out later that the crank bolt can be accessed by dropping the cradle. Concerned about room to remove the balancer.
4. What aftermarket balancer have most used?
I plan to do the work myself with the help of friends that helped with the SC install. I have lots of time as the car is not a DD.
Thanks for any and all help.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 7
From: Rio Rancho NM
Just starting the same project.
After researching I went with Innovators West balancer. They have stock size, under and over size. The reason I decided on them was I liked their crank pinning. It uses 3 pins. The balancer came with a new seal and bolt and was $506 and the pin kit was $75 and can be used with a crank that was already pinned (half crank and half balancer) https://innovatorswest.com/966-Crank-Pin-Kit.html. I also went with the blower hub upgrade for $25.
I have not replaced it yet but from what I have read it is best to move the rack to the side instead of lowering the cradle. Lowering the cradle is more work.
Hope that helps.
After researching I went with Innovators West balancer. They have stock size, under and over size. The reason I decided on them was I liked their crank pinning. It uses 3 pins. The balancer came with a new seal and bolt and was $506 and the pin kit was $75 and can be used with a crank that was already pinned (half crank and half balancer) https://innovatorswest.com/966-Crank-Pin-Kit.html. I also went with the blower hub upgrade for $25.
I have not replaced it yet but from what I have read it is best to move the rack to the side instead of lowering the cradle. Lowering the cradle is more work.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by Wilkinshc; May 12, 2017 at 04:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
It finally happened. After 11 years (8 of those with the supercharger) and almost 40K miles, my 2006 LS2 has the dreaded harmonic balancer wobble.
I am considering an aftermarket unit for better reliability and have a few questions.
1. I have a Vortech V2 supercharger installed. Do the aftermarket balancers have the same pulley diameter as the stock balancer?
2. My crankshaft is pinned. Will that affect removal and install of the balancer?
3. What is the preferred method of removal? Take out the steering rack or drop the engine cradle? I pulled the rack when I pinned the crank but found out later that the crank bolt can be accessed by dropping the cradle. Concerned about room to remove the balancer.
4. What aftermarket balancer have most used?
I plan to do the work myself with the help of friends that helped with the SC install. I have lots of time as the car is not a DD.
Thanks for any and all help.
I am considering an aftermarket unit for better reliability and have a few questions.
1. I have a Vortech V2 supercharger installed. Do the aftermarket balancers have the same pulley diameter as the stock balancer?
2. My crankshaft is pinned. Will that affect removal and install of the balancer?
3. What is the preferred method of removal? Take out the steering rack or drop the engine cradle? I pulled the rack when I pinned the crank but found out later that the crank bolt can be accessed by dropping the cradle. Concerned about room to remove the balancer.
4. What aftermarket balancer have most used?
I plan to do the work myself with the help of friends that helped with the SC install. I have lots of time as the car is not a DD.
Thanks for any and all help.
2. Removal, no. Installation, yes. It will vary depending on the balancer you buy. IW has their own way of pinning them which I think is nice. For a more regular balancer I just installed it and pinned it 180* from original pin. Worked fine. Any of the supercharger manufacturers should have a crank pinning kit for cheap if you need it
3. I moved rack over to passenger side wheel well to get it out of the way which wasn't that bad to do. I find that easier than pulling it through driver wheel well and dealing with all the ABS lines in the way (I have done it that way too). You can get to the crank bolt by dropping cradle an inch or so but you won't have enough room to get it off that way so it either needs to be dropped further or rack gotten out of the way. I've never dropped it further so not sure what that entails.
4. IW and ATI are higher end units. I'm using a cheapo Summit C2501 unit, $190, been fine for a good 2 years with a supercharger
Replace timing cover seal while you have access
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 82
Likes: 15
From: Columbia South Carolina
My balancer is being replaced as I type with an ATI balancer kit that came with bolt and seal along with balancer. $448.00 from Jegs and they are removing the steering rack once up on lift. Best of luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 188
From: Austin TX
Let me know if you needs pics of anything. I have been replacing mine since last year 
long story. Anywho, I still have most of it torn down. There are 3 ways to get to the HB
1- pull the rack out the side (thats the way I did it but would have rather done it a different way)
2- lower the cradle (i would go this method if I had the choice. Power steering fluid makes a mess and the lines are a bitch to remove\reinstall)
3- unbolt rack from cradle and spindles, remove passenger side inner tie rod end and push up and out of way (this would be my next choice. I have only seen one person do it and I didnt try it. Once again, it doesnt require removing the steering lines)
Just another note, I am doing this on the ground with jackstands. Not the most comfortable thing but not the hardest.
Good luck and there is a lot of valuable info on here.
long story. Anywho, I still have most of it torn down. There are 3 ways to get to the HB1- pull the rack out the side (thats the way I did it but would have rather done it a different way)
2- lower the cradle (i would go this method if I had the choice. Power steering fluid makes a mess and the lines are a bitch to remove\reinstall)
3- unbolt rack from cradle and spindles, remove passenger side inner tie rod end and push up and out of way (this would be my next choice. I have only seen one person do it and I didnt try it. Once again, it doesnt require removing the steering lines)
Just another note, I am doing this on the ground with jackstands. Not the most comfortable thing but not the hardest.
Good luck and there is a lot of valuable info on here.
Last edited by schizcat; May 17, 2017 at 05:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,487
Likes: 2,376
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I received my parts today. I decided on a stock replacement and the kit came with a new bolt and the seal. Not sure when I'm going to tackle this. I have had the rack out before when I pinned the crank during the SC install and yes it is a royal PITA especially the ps lines. I will have some help so it should go smooth.
Thanks schpenxel for the info on repinning the crank. I will need to get another crank pin kit before I get started. I also ordered a new serpentine belt since I'll have the old one off anyway.
Thanks schpenxel for the info on repinning the crank. I will need to get another crank pin kit before I get started. I also ordered a new serpentine belt since I'll have the old one off anyway.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 61
You sure you you want to risk a stock Damper again for all that work? I have an ATI 6-ribb for sale for $200 for better piece of mind if your interested.
As for the swap, I pulled the steering rack, much easier to work with. Make sure you get a proper puller and install tool as well.
As for the swap, I pulled the steering rack, much easier to work with. Make sure you get a proper puller and install tool as well.
I received my parts today. I decided on a stock replacement and the kit came with a new bolt and the seal. Not sure when I'm going to tackle this. I have had the rack out before when I pinned the crank during the SC install and yes it is a royal PITA especially the ps lines. I will have some help so it should go smooth.
Thanks schpenxel for the info on repinning the crank. I will need to get another crank pin kit before I get started. I also ordered a new serpentine belt since I'll have the old one off anyway.
Thanks schpenxel for the info on repinning the crank. I will need to get another crank pin kit before I get started. I also ordered a new serpentine belt since I'll have the old one off anyway.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,487
Likes: 2,376
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You sure you you want to risk a stock Damper again for all that work? I have an ATI 6-ribb for sale for $200 for better piece of mind if your interested.
As for the swap, I pulled the steering rack, much easier to work with. Make sure you get a proper puller and install tool as well.
As for the swap, I pulled the steering rack, much easier to work with. Make sure you get a proper puller and install tool as well.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 24
From: Ross Ohio
Just a heads up that there have been reports with the stock balancer going bad in as few as a couple thousand miles. Your chance, but I would also consider that if you do sell, a person in the know would consider it a positive if the stock had been replaced with a quality aftermarket.
I do wish you the best of luck though on the stock replacement.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 121
Likes: 13
From: Elk Grove Village Illinois
Harmonic Balancer question please
Is the 2009 LS3 susceptible to this problem as well? I have always heard that it is the older C's with the LS2 that has the problem. Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Mine went bad at 110k(2005), A guy I know with another 2005 had his go bad at 90k was replaced under some type of aftermarket warranty he had with a stock replacment by the local chevy dealer and it failed again less than 1k miles later. I went with the summit SFI rated dampener and its working great.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 7
From: Rio Rancho NM