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I have a 2006 base with 75k on the clock and noticed a chirp under the hood and sure enough, its the harmonic balancer. So watch some YouTube vids and looks like some work but nothing I can't handle but did raise a few questions.
1) what balancer should I use? Not sure of the difference, but looked at the ultra expensive ATI and the budget friendly summit. Leaning towards summit due to the extra ribs but are there other decent ones out there?
2) does anyone pin their balancer?
3) method - saw two different ways, one was to remove the steering rack and the other was to completely drop the cradle (disconnecting the upper control arms to free the ends) while supporting the engine. Seems like dropping the cradle is the most efficient method, thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice you can offer.
dropped the cradle just enough when I did mine. Dropped passenger side just watch to make sure you don't strain power steering line if you have a cooler. Used the powerbond PBB-PB1117SS one that is keyed with arp bolt. Pretty simple job like 3 hous on the nose to do it. Take your time pick your poison. You can pull the steering rack or drop the cradle.
dropped the cradle just enough when I did mine. Dropped passenger side just watch to make sure you don't strain power steering line if you have a cooler. Used the powerbond PBB-PB1117SS one that is keyed with arp bolt. Pretty simple job like 3 hous on the nose to do it. Take your time pick your poison. You can pull the steering rack or drop the cradle.
Thanks, this is very helpful. I like the fact that you separated the wheels at the knuckle so as not to chance the alignment.
The powerbond appears to be the same design as the Summit?
Thanks, this is very helpful. I like the fact that you separated the wheels at the knuckle so as not to chance the alignment.
The powerbond appears to be the same design as the Summit?
yeah tbh i took the approach of undo one nut instead of 4 bolts. Shock doesn't have to come out. I'm not sure as far as design from what I remember in my research either are fine. For me i didn't want the hassle of Ati with this motor. As far as holding the flywheel buy a flywheel holder 40 bucks off Amazon trust me it's worth the cost.
yeah tbh i took the approach of undo one nut instead of 4 bolts. Shock doesn't have to come out. I'm not sure as far as design from what I remember in my research either are fine. For me i didn't want the hassle of Ati with this motor. As far as holding the flywheel buy a flywheel holder 40 bucks off Amazon trust me it's worth the cost.
Just to add, I saw a flywheel holder on Amazon for 13 bux making it an easy purchase.
I'm putting together a list of stuff to buy for this project. Currently have it in the garage and will start disassembly today.
WOW, never seen one done like that - the ATI jig. All the ones I've seen drill from the front after the balancer in installed, then you drive the pin in so that it acts like a woodruff key.
The kit for that at Summit is about $65, I just bought one for when I do mine.
I did my first one like that in 1999 or 2000 (woodruff style).... I bought the ATI jig in 2001 or 2002 when I had a failure. Honestly it was installer error (rushed cam change at the track) but running an aluminum hub, you need all the help you can get.
WOW, never seen one done like that - the ATI jig. All the ones I've seen drill from the front after the balancer in installed, then you drive the pin in so that it acts like a woodruff key.
The kit for that at Summit is about $65, I just bought one for when I do mine.
The ATI damper pins are designed to be installed that way. OEM and other replacement dampers are drilled from the front.
Because you'll turn the crankshaft trying to tighten/loosen the balancer bolt. Remove the starter and install flywheel holder. My car is a manual and I still use the tool. On a manual you should be able to put it in gear and put the rear wheels on the ground and that will keep the engine from turning.
Lowered the cradle while raising the engine and that provided enough room so far (need to fit test a drill for the key). Summet should be delivering my HB later today. I was expecting the bolt then puller to give me problems but they both came off without issue. This seems to be a much better way than removing the power steering. Just have to carefully watch what is connected between the cradle and car, lower slowly.
While under the car noticed the water pump had a slight leak. Debating if it should be replaced this job or wait till the weather gets a little better.
Lowered the cradle while raising the engine and that provided enough room so far (need to fit test a drill for the key). Summet should be delivering my HB later today. I was expecting the bolt then puller to give me problems but they both came off without issue. This seems to be a much better way than removing the power steering. Just have to carefully watch what is connected between the cradle and car, lower slowly.
While under the car noticed the water pump had a slight leak. Debating if it should be replaced this job or wait till the weather gets a little better.
Not as bad as people make it out to be right? Water pump pretty easy to do. What I would do is the ac belt and tensioner since you're under there anyway.
Last edited by Jerms1456; Jan 1, 2023 at 10:03 PM.
Not as bad as people make it out to be right? Water pump pretty easy to do. What I would do is the ac belt and tensioner since your under there anyway.
ya, not too bad so far. Hoping the rest goes just as smoothly. Don't think I'll be getting the summit part tonight. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow morning so I can finish the job.
Did you transfer the backing seal to the new balancer or install without it?
That is the friction shim gm put those on when they figured out balancers were spinning on snouts. How its supposed to keep it from spinning? No idea, Dayco and a couple of other say not to reuse it. It did not fit on the power bond replacement I bought. So didnt reinstall it. Since you are pinning I wouldn't worry about it.
That is the friction shim gm put those on when they figured out balancers were spinning on snouts. How its supposed to keep it from spinning? No idea, Dayco and a couple of other say not to reuse it. It did not fit on the power bond replacement I bought. So didnt reinstall it. Since you are pinning I wouldn't worry about it.
Harmonic balancer replacement Q's
