Harmonic balancer recommendations
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Harmonic balancer recommendations
Hi guys, I have 97 C5 just turned over 75k miles has original OEM harmonic balancer that is wobbling. I am in process of deciding what brand to replace with. I am not going with OEM because of the wobbling issue that will occur again down the road. What aftermarket harmonic balancer should I go with ? what kind of prices can i expect?
I will also replace the crank shaft seal same time with harmonic balancer.
I got a quote $453.20 labor only for shop I send mechanical work to that is discounted price. Seems that break down to 4.0 hr labor.
Thank you for your input in advance.
I will also replace the crank shaft seal same time with harmonic balancer.
I got a quote $453.20 labor only for shop I send mechanical work to that is discounted price. Seems that break down to 4.0 hr labor.
Thank you for your input in advance.
#2
Race Director
My GM tech quoted me 6 to 8 hours of labor and is using a summit racing product on my c6 ..
The wobble is fine...imo ...its when the air conditioning belt starts to chirp for five minutes every morning and then goes away when warmed up...that it's time to change the harmonic balancer..imo and I'm now just thinking of doing the job...
I'm waiting to see if the chirping goes away in the warm weather...
The hard rubber in the harmonic balancer is loosing elasticity in my opinion...and that internal imbalance is what causes the wobble. When the wobble gets so much that the ac belt creates a chirping noise that's about the time to replace the harmonic balancer..imo
That's how my world class GM tech has explained this situation to me on my c6...
Mine visually wobbled for tens of thousands of miles...
The chirping is a nuance...as I start the vehicle up.
I was debating putting on a supercharger with 8 hours of labor being discussed just to remove and install the harmonic balancer. I doubt I'll do the supercharger as I find I'm beginning to itch for my fourth new corvette...although with prices climbing I'm thinking Bentley preowned or maybe that brand spanking new c8..
My guys prices is a little high but I like him so I'm not nickel and diming him on this job.
They give me a free loaner so what the hell..it's all just buried in the price anyway.
You post reminds me to set up the appointment..
Good luck and the c5 I'm sure is a different part...but your quote for labor is a very good deal.
If you do a search...I think you'll find powerbond or ATI are good choices...
Btw I got ten years one month and 119k miles on my stock harmonic balancer...
Missed the extended warranty coverage by this...much...
God dam it...
My fault entirely.
Good luck
The wobble is fine...imo ...its when the air conditioning belt starts to chirp for five minutes every morning and then goes away when warmed up...that it's time to change the harmonic balancer..imo and I'm now just thinking of doing the job...
I'm waiting to see if the chirping goes away in the warm weather...
The hard rubber in the harmonic balancer is loosing elasticity in my opinion...and that internal imbalance is what causes the wobble. When the wobble gets so much that the ac belt creates a chirping noise that's about the time to replace the harmonic balancer..imo
That's how my world class GM tech has explained this situation to me on my c6...
Mine visually wobbled for tens of thousands of miles...
The chirping is a nuance...as I start the vehicle up.
I was debating putting on a supercharger with 8 hours of labor being discussed just to remove and install the harmonic balancer. I doubt I'll do the supercharger as I find I'm beginning to itch for my fourth new corvette...although with prices climbing I'm thinking Bentley preowned or maybe that brand spanking new c8..
My guys prices is a little high but I like him so I'm not nickel and diming him on this job.
They give me a free loaner so what the hell..it's all just buried in the price anyway.
You post reminds me to set up the appointment..
Good luck and the c5 I'm sure is a different part...but your quote for labor is a very good deal.
If you do a search...I think you'll find powerbond or ATI are good choices...
Btw I got ten years one month and 119k miles on my stock harmonic balancer...
Missed the extended warranty coverage by this...much...
God dam it...
My fault entirely.
Good luck
Last edited by JerriVette; 04-10-2018 at 05:38 PM.
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
My GM tech quoted me 6 to 8 hours of labor and is using a summit racing product on my c6 ..
The wobble is fine...imo ...its when the air conditioning belt starts to chirp for five minutes every morning and then goes away when warmed up...that it's time to change the harmonic balancer..imo and I'm now just thinking of doing the job...
I'm waiting to see if the chirping goes away in the warm weather...
The hard rubber in the harmonic balancer is loosing elasticity in my opinion...and that internal imbalance is what causes the wobble. When the wobble gets so much that the ac belt creates a chirping noise that's about the time to replace the harmonic balancer..imo
That's how my world class GM tech has explained this situation to me on my c6...
Mine visually wobbled for tens of thousands of miles...
The chirping is a nuance...as I start the vehicle up.
I was debating putting on a supercharger with 8 hours of labor being discussed just to remove and install the harmonic balancer. I doubt I'll do the supercharger as I find I'm beginning to itch for my fourth new corvette...although with prices climbing I'm thinking Bentley preowned or maybe that brand spanking new c8..
My guys prices is a little high but I like him so I'm not nickel and diming him on this job.
They give me a free loaner so what the hell..it's all just buried in the price anyway.
You post reminds me to set up the appointment..
Good luck and the c5 I'm sure is a different part...but your quote for labor is a very good deal.
If you do a search...I think you'll find powerbond or ATI are good choices...
Btw I got ten years one month and 119k miles on my stock harmonic balancer...
Missed the extended warranty coverage by this...much...
God dam it...
My fault entirely.
Good luck
The wobble is fine...imo ...its when the air conditioning belt starts to chirp for five minutes every morning and then goes away when warmed up...that it's time to change the harmonic balancer..imo and I'm now just thinking of doing the job...
I'm waiting to see if the chirping goes away in the warm weather...
The hard rubber in the harmonic balancer is loosing elasticity in my opinion...and that internal imbalance is what causes the wobble. When the wobble gets so much that the ac belt creates a chirping noise that's about the time to replace the harmonic balancer..imo
That's how my world class GM tech has explained this situation to me on my c6...
Mine visually wobbled for tens of thousands of miles...
The chirping is a nuance...as I start the vehicle up.
I was debating putting on a supercharger with 8 hours of labor being discussed just to remove and install the harmonic balancer. I doubt I'll do the supercharger as I find I'm beginning to itch for my fourth new corvette...although with prices climbing I'm thinking Bentley preowned or maybe that brand spanking new c8..
My guys prices is a little high but I like him so I'm not nickel and diming him on this job.
They give me a free loaner so what the hell..it's all just buried in the price anyway.
You post reminds me to set up the appointment..
Good luck and the c5 I'm sure is a different part...but your quote for labor is a very good deal.
If you do a search...I think you'll find powerbond or ATI are good choices...
Btw I got ten years one month and 119k miles on my stock harmonic balancer...
Missed the extended warranty coverage by this...much...
God dam it...
My fault entirely.
Good luck
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (04-10-2018)
#5
Burning Brakes
My research on this forum led me to conclude that Powerbond is the best value replacement. I went with stock size (no underdrive). Bought it st Summit for $74
just saw Smoken1’s post. That’s two of us giving that advice.
just saw Smoken1’s post. That’s two of us giving that advice.
Last edited by emptnest; 04-10-2018 at 06:02 PM.
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
Did you go with oem bolt?
Last edited by 1997 C5; 04-10-2018 at 07:55 PM.
#7
Burning Brakes
it hits the sweet spot in value, providing great service at lower cost than other options. Others might be marginally better, but for 2x or 3x the $$. The extra costs, in my mind, are justified only if you are building for huge HP.
I went with upgraded ARP bolt. Going from memory, it was $10-$15.
Last edited by emptnest; 04-10-2018 at 08:04 PM.
#10
Team Owner
I would do the ARP bolt as well, ATI is considered the best balancer but I understand that many don't push their cars as hard or plan on doing mods and they may consider it overkill.
I do recommend the ARP bolt as I am not a fan of torque to yield bolts. If you go ARP make sure whoever installs it follows ARP's procedure.
I do recommend the ARP bolt as I am not a fan of torque to yield bolts. If you go ARP make sure whoever installs it follows ARP's procedure.
#11
Race Director
This thread convinced me to contact my tech and make an appointment to have the summit racing harmonic balancer installed ..
Not sure which brand that involves but if my guys says that's what I should use..then that's what I'm doing.
That stupid chirping noise for the first five or ten minutes I thought wouldn't bother me but after reading your post on your c5 today I decided..I might as well go for it.
Thanks...and best of luck...and I agree the five hundred dollar ATI is an overkill.
Not sure which brand that involves but if my guys says that's what I should use..then that's what I'm doing.
That stupid chirping noise for the first five or ten minutes I thought wouldn't bother me but after reading your post on your c5 today I decided..I might as well go for it.
Thanks...and best of luck...and I agree the five hundred dollar ATI is an overkill.
#12
Pro
Thread Starter
mounted on the crackshaft and the seal is on the front of crack shaft right? Sorry for dumb question but i'm new to this kinda stuff. I'm learning as I go.
#14
Drifting
ACDelco 12585673
its a timing cover seal, the power steering o rings, I got from a dealer. Don’t have that part # with me now.
I bought the HB puller and installer from Summit, great tools! They price match so get good prices!
its a timing cover seal, the power steering o rings, I got from a dealer. Don’t have that part # with me now.
I bought the HB puller and installer from Summit, great tools! They price match so get good prices!
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
Do I have to replace the timing cover gasket since that has to come off to replace the timing cover seal( timing cover seal more like cam shaft seal ) ?
#19
Drifting
I couldn't find the perfect pic, I did not take many when I did it but to be clear
You dont need to remove that timing chain cover and any pick/small screw driver would work, I just elected to buy a $7.00 seal removal tool. Comes off easy and the new one goes on easy,
You dont need to remove that timing chain cover and any pick/small screw driver would work, I just elected to buy a $7.00 seal removal tool. Comes off easy and the new one goes on easy,