Harmonic balancer
06-15-2018, 01:26 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Harmonic balancer
I am told I have a harmonic balancer problem in my 2007 coupe. I have approx 60,000 miles on it. Any idea how much this will set me back? And should a Chevy dealership be my best choice?
Thx
mike
06-15-2018, 02:08 AM
#2
Drifting
I guess the cost of replacement may be different based on location, shop rates, parts used...
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
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Landru (06-15-2018)
06-15-2018, 08:33 AM
#3
Drifting
I guess the cost of replacement may be different based on location, shop rates, parts used...
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
I have had 5 balancers replaced on as many Vettes. All with ATI. All without a single issue after that. $900 parts and labor is correct. I suggest that if you use a dealership, use one that sells tons of Vettes. The ones who sell a couple Vettes per year can’t even change the oil correctly. My experience. If you have a relationship with a dealer, and know their mechanics, that is different.
Good luck. Also, if you are thinking of ever putting a supercharger on the car, have the balancer pinned to the crank. Might as well do this while making the swap. Have them replace the front engine seal too.
06-15-2018, 08:36 AM
#4
Racer
Most of the posts I've seen, people have been paying anywhere from about $900 all the way up to almost $2,000. If you do it yourself, you can do it for as little as about $200 (primarily depending upon the HB you choose).
Personally, I don't like paying someone to do something I can do myself. This was the toughest car repair job I've ever taken on, but it was more time consuming than anything. Getting the steering rack out is the hardest part.
Personally, I don't like paying someone to do something I can do myself. This was the toughest car repair job I've ever taken on, but it was more time consuming than anything. Getting the steering rack out is the hardest part.
06-15-2018, 10:12 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Left Coast, San Diego
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Forum search will give you lots of choices as far as part numbers and costs.
06-15-2018, 11:10 AM
#6
Drifting
Member Since: Sep 2014
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DIY here as well on a C5. I don't think it is that hard, but it was a lot of work the way we did it. With the Summit racing balancer, I think we spent about $300 as we bought a few tools also.
06-15-2018, 12:01 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: lake havasu city arizona
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Mine was done with Power Bond PB1117SS, new belts, seal, bolt etc. Total cost for labor and parts was right at $900. Spinning straight and true now 
I would personally NOT USE THE GM PART
NSF
I would personally NOT USE THE GM PART
NSF
06-15-2018, 03:25 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
I agree the ATI part is not the least expensive, but is by far your best choice. I've never seen a failure reported. You can get it here:
ATI Performance Products 917266 GM LS 7.480 Harmonic Damper - SFI, 1 Pack ($395.00)
It installs with a one-time bolt, also known as a BAB (Big A** Bolt). There's an after-market version of this you can get fairly cheaply:
ARP 2342503 Stud Kit ($38.27)
While you're in there, after 60K miles it may be a good time to replace the crankshaft seal:
Timken 100470 Crankshaft Seal ($10.69 + $2 shipping)
Finally, as an option required by those with superchargers installed, there's a pinning kit that will prevent the new HB from slipping even if the BAB fails ($124.00)
ATI Performance Products 918993 Crank Pin Drill Fixture Kit
Definitely have this work done by a dealership or speed shop that has LOTS of experience with C6 Corvettes. With the ATI part you'll only ever have to do this once. I have had three OEM HBs installed.
ATI Performance Products 917266 GM LS 7.480 Harmonic Damper - SFI, 1 Pack ($395.00)
It installs with a one-time bolt, also known as a BAB (Big A** Bolt). There's an after-market version of this you can get fairly cheaply:
ARP 2342503 Stud Kit ($38.27)
While you're in there, after 60K miles it may be a good time to replace the crankshaft seal:
Timken 100470 Crankshaft Seal ($10.69 + $2 shipping)
Finally, as an option required by those with superchargers installed, there's a pinning kit that will prevent the new HB from slipping even if the BAB fails ($124.00)
ATI Performance Products 918993 Crank Pin Drill Fixture Kit
Definitely have this work done by a dealership or speed shop that has LOTS of experience with C6 Corvettes. With the ATI part you'll only ever have to do this once. I have had three OEM HBs installed.
06-18-2018, 07:59 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
I guess the cost of replacement may be different based on location, shop rates, parts used...
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
I paid 900 for the balancer replacement (parts and labor) on my '07. I did not use another General Motors balancer. There have been failures with the replacement OEM ones. I used an ATI #917266. The mechanic I used had done several HB replacements and had it done in less than 5 hours.
A dealer might not be the best way to go... They'll want to sell you another failure prone part.
Any local Corvette clubs? I found my mechanic by checking the local clubs web sites for recommended mechanics.
Good Luck
thanks
mike
06-18-2018, 08:00 PM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Good advice
thx
mike
thx
mike
^^ this
I have had 5 balancers replaced on as many Vettes. All with ATI. All without a single issue after that. $900 parts and labor is correct. I suggest that if you use a dealership, use one that sells tons of Vettes. The ones who sell a couple Vettes per year can’t even change the oil correctly. My experience. If you have a relationship with a dealer, and know their mechanics, that is different.
Good luck. Also, if you are thinking of ever putting a supercharger on the car, have the balancer pinned to the crank. Might as well do this while making the swap. Have them replace the front engine seal too.
I have had 5 balancers replaced on as many Vettes. All with ATI. All without a single issue after that. $900 parts and labor is correct. I suggest that if you use a dealership, use one that sells tons of Vettes. The ones who sell a couple Vettes per year can’t even change the oil correctly. My experience. If you have a relationship with a dealer, and know their mechanics, that is different.
Good luck. Also, if you are thinking of ever putting a supercharger on the car, have the balancer pinned to the crank. Might as well do this while making the swap. Have them replace the front engine seal too.
06-18-2018, 08:29 PM
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
I can build a nice liquor cabinet out of red Oak, but I’m not very good under the hood!
Most of the posts I've seen, people have been paying anywhere from about $900 all the way up to almost $2,000. If you do it yourself, you can do it for as little as about $200 (primarily depending upon the HB you choose).
Personally, I don't like paying someone to do something I can do myself. This was the toughest car repair job I've ever taken on, but it was more time consuming than anything. Getting the steering rack out is the hardest part.
Personally, I don't like paying someone to do something I can do myself. This was the toughest car repair job I've ever taken on, but it was more time consuming than anything. Getting the steering rack out is the hardest part.
06-18-2018, 08:33 PM
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
The dealership sponsors the Rochester Corvette club, so I feel comfortable and letting them do it. But having listened to several other forum members, OEM concerns me I’m not sure how they feel about putting on anything but OEM
thanks for information
^^ this
I have had 5 balancers replaced on as many Vettes. All with ATI. All without a single issue after that. $900 parts and labor is correct. I suggest that if you use a dealership, use one that sells tons of Vettes. The ones who sell a couple Vettes per year can’t even change the oil correctly. My experience. If you have a relationship with a dealer, and know their mechanics, that is different.
Good luck. Also, if you are thinking of ever putting a supercharger on the car, have the balancer pinned to the crank. Might as well do this while making the swap. Have them replace the front engine seal too.
I have had 5 balancers replaced on as many Vettes. All with ATI. All without a single issue after that. $900 parts and labor is correct. I suggest that if you use a dealership, use one that sells tons of Vettes. The ones who sell a couple Vettes per year can’t even change the oil correctly. My experience. If you have a relationship with a dealer, and know their mechanics, that is different.
Good luck. Also, if you are thinking of ever putting a supercharger on the car, have the balancer pinned to the crank. Might as well do this while making the swap. Have them replace the front engine seal too.
06-19-2018, 10:56 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
I really hate to be a dissenter and bring up a thought that angers some people, but don't just assume your balancer needs replaced. There are videos here and elsewhere that give an indication of what is bad, versus what is relatively normal.
Just because it has a wobble does not mean you need to replace it. Does it ever "chirp"? Do you do track days? Is the engine built with cam and headers? If the answer to all 3 of those questions is "No", you might not need to replace it.
If you do replace it, do not use a GM replacement unless they will warranty it for at least 3 years (which they will not do). Use an aftermarket like ATI, Summit, etc.
Just because it has a wobble does not mean you need to replace it. Does it ever "chirp"? Do you do track days? Is the engine built with cam and headers? If the answer to all 3 of those questions is "No", you might not need to replace it.
If you do replace it, do not use a GM replacement unless they will warranty it for at least 3 years (which they will not do). Use an aftermarket like ATI, Summit, etc.
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vezePilot (06-20-2018)
06-20-2018, 09:53 AM
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
1. Yes
2. No
3. No
there have been enough members on this form to convince me OEM is not the way to go. I will be discussing the ATI, and other options that have been mentioned with the mechanic, and service manager.
To the folks that have replied, thank you very much. This is been extremely helpful
2. No
3. No
there have been enough members on this form to convince me OEM is not the way to go. I will be discussing the ATI, and other options that have been mentioned with the mechanic, and service manager.
To the folks that have replied, thank you very much. This is been extremely helpful
06-20-2018, 11:52 AM
#15
1. Yes
2. No
3. No
there have been enough members on this form to convince me OEM is not the way to go. I will be discussing the ATI, and other options that have been mentioned with the mechanic, and service manager.
To the folks that have replied, thank you very much. This is been extremely helpful
2. No
3. No
there have been enough members on this form to convince me OEM is not the way to go. I will be discussing the ATI, and other options that have been mentioned with the mechanic, and service manager.
To the folks that have replied, thank you very much. This is been extremely helpful
Give New Era Performance a call
06-20-2018, 12:51 PM
#17
Racer
I spoke to "my personal vehicle manager" at McCaddon Cadillac this morning about a slight wobble. We will have his best mechanic take a look at it tomorrow (Thurs) before lunch. Already that fellow has stated that a slight wobble does not mean the HB will fail suddenly. He said they don't do that. My answers to the 3 questions? No, no and no.
What mine does need are Brake Pads and Shocks. Those will be the StopTech Sport pads and the Bilstein HD B6's. You people here are AWESOME!
edit: A important point clarified this morning with the Service Manager at McCaddon-- No Problem for them to install non-OEM, Race/Performance parts for me.
What mine does need are Brake Pads and Shocks. Those will be the StopTech Sport pads and the Bilstein HD B6's. You people here are AWESOME!
edit: A important point clarified this morning with the Service Manager at McCaddon-- No Problem for them to install non-OEM, Race/Performance parts for me.
Last edited by vezePilot; 06-20-2018 at 12:54 PM.