ARP bolt wobble?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
ARP bolt wobble?
Just finished a loooong install of a Powerbond race spec HB and Dewitts Radiator. Balancer seems to be spinning straight but the bolt looks strange to me. It was torqued correctly to 240 ft/lbs. Hopefully you all can see what I'm talking about, it's difficult to get the phone to focus on a specific bolt. Thanks for any advice
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,527
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Just finished a loooong install of a Powerbond race spec HB and Dewitts Radiator. Balancer seems to be spinning straight but the bolt looks strange to me. It was torqued correctly to 240 ft/lbs. Hopefully you all can see what I'm talking about, it's difficult to get the phone to focus on a specific bolt. Thanks for any advice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hClj80fHypA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hClj80fHypA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
Yeah I think it's just the bolt playing tricks on the eyes. Cover the bolt with your hand and the balancer isn't moving. I've gone under the car and put my finger on it as it was spinning and can't tell much of anything happening. The bolt is obviously wobbling though. I've sent an email to arp I'll see if they respond. I did a bit of digging and I found a few other people in the past asking of something similar. They said the balancer wasn't moving but the bolt was, seems like I can't find anyone that has come up with a resolution but sounds like it's possible that the bolt is slightly off center. I sure hope it's ok cuz that install was not fun and would hate to do it all over again. No belts chirping so far but haven't really had time to test it yet. Thanks for looking!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,527
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Yeah I think it's just the bolt playing tricks on the eyes. Cover the bolt with your hand and the balancer isn't moving. I've gone under the car and put my finger on it as it was spinning and can't tell much of anything happening. The bolt is obviously wobbling though. I've sent an email to arp I'll see if they respond. I did a bit of digging and I found a few other people in the past asking of something similar. They said the balancer wasn't moving but the bolt was, seems like I can't find anyone that has come up with a resolution but sounds like it's possible that the bolt is slightly off center. I sure hope it's ok cuz that install was not fun and would hate to do it all over again. No belts chirping so far but haven't really had time to test it yet. Thanks for looking!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
Just went outside and looked at it again. I guess the balancer does have a slight wobble but it's not as noticeable as the bolt. I wonder if I got a bad balancer or it that's within spec? I've seen people on here say they've had a bit of wobble and just left it, I guess I'll email powerbond and see what they say. Thanks again
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,964
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
My PB ballancer doesn't wobble in the slightest. The new arp bolt I attempted to utilize was threading funny so I juat installed a new oem (which are inexpensive but effective). Zero problems since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
What’s sticking out the middle of the balancer? Do you still have a socket on the bolt? That’s definitely wobbling, but that could just be because the socket isn’t sitting squarely on the bolt head, which is very likely, since a socket doesn’t (couldn’t) exactly have an interference or even a precise fit over a bolt head.
BTW: Did the bolt thread in nicely? I prefer to use the stock TTY bolt myself, unless, like with the IW balancer, the HB comes with an application-specific bolt.
I see what subfloor is saying, but I’m not sure if the balancer itself is wobbling...
BTW: Did the bolt thread in nicely? I prefer to use the stock TTY bolt myself, unless, like with the IW balancer, the HB comes with an application-specific bolt.
I see what subfloor is saying, but I’m not sure if the balancer itself is wobbling...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
No it's an aftermarket (powerbond) balancer so it doesn't look like the stock one. The thing in the middle is the arp bolt and it's a 12 point socket so it might look a little funny when it's spinning but I can assure you I didn't leave the socket on it! I had no trouble with the ARP bolt and torqued it exactly as they had listed and used the lube provided.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 662
Likes: 63
From: Fresno CA
That's peculiar. If you do indeed cover the bolt on the video with your hand like Beef97 suggested, then the balancer does not appear to wobble. The bolt, on the other hand, does LOOK like it's wobbling.
I just did an identical install a couple months ago (ARP bolt with PB balancer) and as soon as I looked down I immediately thought my balancer was wobbling again too. Turns out it was just dirty from my hands from the install. So, I'd recommend reaching down there and cleaning the pulley and bolt as best you can, so light doesn't reflect on certain parts and give the appearance of wobbling. Then, take a couple vides from different angles.
I think you might be over thinking it. But definitely do your due diligence. Let us know what ARP says.
I just did an identical install a couple months ago (ARP bolt with PB balancer) and as soon as I looked down I immediately thought my balancer was wobbling again too. Turns out it was just dirty from my hands from the install. So, I'd recommend reaching down there and cleaning the pulley and bolt as best you can, so light doesn't reflect on certain parts and give the appearance of wobbling. Then, take a couple vides from different angles.
I think you might be over thinking it. But definitely do your due diligence. Let us know what ARP says.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
Never ended up hearing from ARP but finally got in touch with Ken from Dayco. Couldn't have been a nicer guy and was clearly willing to help out if needed. I sent him a link of the video and he agreed that it looked like the bolt had a bit of wobble but not so much with the balancer. He said that they've never had a balancer come back out of spec from this application. Just to be sure, he went and measured one that was within spec and sent it to me for free with a return label to send the other one back if I decide to swap them out. He said that if I don't ever decide to do it, just sent the new one back with his label. He also expedited the shipping so I'd have it by this weekend. Sure is refreshing to see that some companies really do stand behind their products. Haven't had any time to drive it yet due to work but should have some time Saturday.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 509
Likes: 52
From: DFW Texas
I decided to install the new Bilstein shocks for today. Will take it for a test drive tomorrow to see how I like them. I went on a 60 mile drive today and didn't feel any vibration or hear anything strange. I put it back on the quickjack, started it up and got under it while giving it a very close look at everything. The balancer is not moving, it's simply the bolt. Not sure what i'd do if I found out I had a bent crank nose anyways. I was doing some reading that a lot of the Subaru guys have issues with their crank bolt wobbling. The balancer is fine, it's just the bolt similar to mine. I'll check it again tomorrow.