Corvette Forum Archive (38 950 posts)
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Subject:
Re: Bad Harmonic Balancer
From: "Dad" <knockers(at)fisher.net>
Subject: Re: Bad Harmonic Balancer
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 11:37:31 -0500
Lines: 91
NNTP-Posting-Host: 216.201.40.106
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"Crabs" <IHateSpam(at)SpamSucks.com> wrote in message
news:m4qdna-G_ovTrV7eRVn-tw(at)comcast.com...
> Steve:
>> I reported in earlier posts that my belts on my `98 C5 were
>> squeaking. I
>> took it to a friend`s shop and he found that the rubber in the
>> harmonic
>> balancer is all worn and wobbling.
I doubt this is the case, it may be loose but no way the rubber is
worn in the balancer. Just to let you know the LS1 has an oil filled
crankshaft and if the bolt comes loose it will allow a black residue
to form. Would have said something earlier but I block spamm.
>> He said the belts are old and dry too.
The belts are old and dry after the first year, it`s called flex and
heat checking.
>> The job is going to cost $679 total, new belts and all. He said
>> it`s a 4
>> hour job to get the harmonic balancer changed. Does that sound
>> about right?
There is a new bolt that is used to reseal the crankshaft and lock the
balancer back on the crank and as far as I know they don`t cost
hundred of dollars. More like an $80 fix.
> Seems about right. It`s a rats nest of pipes, hoses, belts, and god
> knows what in front of the LS1, and there`s little to no room to get
> at anything. All the accessories probably have to come off of the
> front of the motor to access the harmonic balancer, and maybe even
> the radiator and cooling hoses, can`t really tell from the pictures
> I`ve found. Regardless, there`s a lot to be moved around just to get
> a hand down to the area of interest.
>
>>
>> What gets me is that I just had the car at the dealer and they
>> replaced two
>> tensioners. They said it needed new belts to stop the squeaking.
>> Why didn`t
>> they spot the bad harmonic balancer? Can I get away with not
>> replacing it?
Let me guess, because there isn`t one?
>> What happens when one fails?
The outer ring slips and the engine feels like the block is rotating
around the crank.
> It`s kind of hard to see from the top, maybe easier from the bottom.
> It`s not something that usually fails. Before I`d let them work on
> it I`d check to see if there`s any TSB`s out on it.
> To be quite honest, I smell a rat. I`ve owned quite a few cars over
> the years (and most were GM, but not all...) and I`ve NEVER had a
> harmonic balancer go bad.
Same here.
> Now, I`m not saying that it doesn`t happen. It seems to be a common
> failure on newer Mercedes (went surfing the NG`s via Google). Didn`t
> see anything on LS1 HB`s, so I doubt it a big failure item.
> Get a second or third opinion.
> What happens if it fails completely? As it wobbles it`ll chew up the
> front of the motor including timing chain cover & seal, as well as
> maybe the lower pulley and serpentine belt. It could conceivably
> cause timing chain problems and maybe even early crankshaft failure.
Don`t think so but since I`ve never seen one fail on a car it`s a
guess at best. My best guess is that you would certainly feel it long
before it did that much damage unless it happened on the track at wide
open throttle.
>
> Good luck!
> TomC
> `90 ZR1 #792
>>
Just to help your belief/disbelief in what I said I worked in the tool
and machine design department for a tier 1 supplier for harmonic
balancers from 1965 to 1968. We tested them to 20,000 RPM unbalanced
before we got any failures. That was most always ring separation and
not rubber deterioration and the rubber got very hot running like that
when unbalanced.
--
Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd
From: L DaVinci <nospam(at)nospam.com>
Subject: Re: Bad Harmonic Balancer
Lines: 8
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 19:07:29 -0500
NNTP-Posting-Host: 69.113.133.95
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Balancer problems have happened to C5s from time to time. And the C6
as well. It needs to be replaced ASAP. And the upgraded parts should
be used. Some like to pin the new balancer since it`s still pressed
together and can still separate.
If you need more help, try:
www.corvettemechanic.com or
www.c5forum.com
Subject: Re: Bad Harmonic Balancer
From: "Steve Horrillo" <usenet(at)stephenhorrillo.com>
Lines: 29
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:13:42 GMT
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On 10-Jan-2006, "Dad" <knockers(at)fisher.net> wrote:
> > Steve:
> >> I reported in earlier posts that my belts on my `98 C5 were
> >> squeaking. I
> >> took it to a friend`s shop and he found that the rubber in the
> >> harmonic
> >> balancer is all worn and wobbling.
>
> I doubt this is the case, it may be loose but no way the rubber is
> worn in the balancer. Just to let you know the LS1 has an oil filled
> crankshaft and if the bolt comes loose it will allow a black residue
> to form. Would have said something earlier but I block spamm.
I posted a up couple of close up pictures at
http://stephenhorrillo.com/C5_harmonic_balancer.htm. Let me know what you
think. Notice the gap, the cracking rubber and the way it`s pushed in on one
side and hanging out on the other. If you need pictures with a higher
resolution or a movie of it spinning let me know.
Should I replace it? If I just replace the belts should the squeaking stop?
When I spray belt dressing on the main belt the sqeaking stops for a little
while but there`s still a sort of rattleling sound.
--
Many thanks Dad and everyone,
Steve
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