Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Bad Balancer? Slight Wobble?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2009 | 04:50 PM
  #1  
Ellis Juan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, al
Default Bad Balancer? Slight Wobble?

I bought a new stock fbody balancer(dorman). Installed it while it was out of the car with a balancer installer. Im running a kwik performance sanden compressor bracket that mounts the ac comp up on the passenger side.

The belt kept wanting to ride off the front rib of the compressor when I would rev the engine past like 4k. I thought it had something to do with the brackets from kwik, but as I was studying the belt while the car was running I noticed the balancer had a "wobble" to it. I put the dial indicator on it and its almost 30 thousanths off! The inside is true. but the belt hub that is pressed over the rubber is what is wobbling. Any repairs or just buy new?
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 05:08 PM
  #2  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

dont think you could repair it, i would buy a new one or see if you can find one someone has laying around for cheap.
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 08:07 PM
  #3  
SOMbitch's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,881
Likes: 3
Default

I have my stocker laying around. No idea what it's worth. PM me an offer if you want it.... I can send you some pics....
Reply
Old May 8, 2009 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
Ellis Juan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, al
Default

Anyone ever used the pioneer balancer? They are like 100 bucks. I dont want an underdrive. Stock is fine with me. Thought about the powerbond as well. Something better than this dorman POS replacement I just bought
Reply
Old May 8, 2009 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
SSTAHOE6.0LQ9's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Default POWERFORCE+PLUS SFI approved racing damper #90032

Sorry, to say but your problem may be related to the install or the quality of the Dorman damper. I have installed and removed more than my fair share.
You should compare the offset height of both you have and see.
You should seriosly consider the POWERFORCE+PLUS SFI approved racing harmonic damper part# 90032 for all F-body LS1.
This damper is made of 1045 steel and has a elastomer material which is rated to support up to 8,000rpms
Let me know if you are interested, i can hook you up or trade for ????
Reply
Old May 8, 2009 | 12:02 PM
  #6  
blk/slvr02ss's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 1
From: Port Saint Lucie,Florida
Default

From what i have seen in my cars all the balancers seem to wobble.But if its throwing the belt i would get another one.
Reply
Old May 8, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #7  
Ellis Juan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, al
Default

It was .028 out. Not even .030. Thats not even 1/32 out. I dont feel any vibration through the shifter. The motor doesnt shake any either. The pulley section could wobble slightly giving the illusion that the balancer is wobbling, but the whole assembly could be balanced, which is essentially what really matters. Am I right? If it was a true wobble I would think the belt would want to walk both ways and not just off the front. I drove the car for 800 miles with a belt that was too loose. Beat on the car pretty good and the belt never tried to come off. The loose belt was squeeling though so I decided to swap it out for a belt a 1/2" shorter. The problem really started when I put the tighter belt on, that put the tensioner in the correct min/max range. It only wants to pop off when I rev it up high. Could it be a bad tensioner? It is a brand new dayco unit.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2011 | 04:42 AM
  #8  
chuckd71's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 22
From: Nashville / Tampa
Default

Did you ever find a solution to this? My pulley looks okay but the belt wants to walk off the front of my compressor as well.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 01:39 AM
  #9  
94camaroz28lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Default

wondering if balancer wobble is normal? hit a tree at 50 km'hr broke the lip of the ballancer, pulled the ballacner off, and put a dial indicator on the snout, only out .001" seems fine, installed used ballancer from the wrecker. Seems to look like it wobbles, lookin striaght down at it, and watching the boltit definately wobbles is this how they are never paid attention to it before? Makes sense that the bolt is not centered at 240 ftl/bs I can see that the bolt would move off center?
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:05 AM
  #10  
3rdCoastPowerSports's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 6
From: Loony Bin
Default

Originally Posted by 94camaroz28lt1
wondering if balancer wobble is normal? hit a tree at 50 km'hr broke the lip of the ballancer, pulled the ballacner off, and put a dial indicator on the snout, only out .001" seems fine, installed used ballancer from the wrecker. Seems to look like it wobbles, lookin striaght down at it, and watching the boltit definately wobbles is this how they are never paid attention to it before? Makes sense that the bolt is not centered at 240 ftl/bs I can see that the bolt would move off center?
.001" runout on the crank snout is within spec. the balancer is not supposed to wobble
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:29 AM
  #11  
94camaroz28lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 3rdCoastPowerSports
.001" runout on the crank snout is within spec. the balancer is not supposed to wobble
2010 Camaro crank pulley wobble - YouTube

looks like this suposeadly it is ok?

acording to this

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62558
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:22 AM
  #12  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

Side to side is normal, all rubber insulated dampers do that. Its front/rear runout thats unacceptable. Most serp belts can handle about .020" before they start to chew up. Edges fraying is your first clue that a pulley isnt lined up/wobbly
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #13  
94camaroz28lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Pocket
Side to side is normal, all rubber insulated dampers do that. Its front/rear runout thats unacceptable. Most serp belts can handle about .020" before they start to chew up. Edges fraying is your first clue that a pulley isnt lined up/wobbly
Thanks, should be good to go!!

One moe questsion while I got you on the line. The tensioner has three marks.. lets call the one on the left (standig facing the front of the motor ) Mark 1, the middel one mark 2, and the right one mark 3.

I put a cutom pulley setup on and had to measure the belt length. the first belt, put the tensioner on mark 3, and seemed to tight? The next belt, the had in stock was two sizes longer, it put it at mark 1, is this too loose? I would guess belt is suposed to run in the middle mark 2??
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 09:00 PM
  #14  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

Ideal is halfway between the two stops of the tensioner swing. You wont always be able to be dead on for all cases. Remember, belts stretch as they get used and age so push it a little to the too small side if you have to pick the lesser of two evils. If the belt is too long and the tensioner hits the fully open stop, the belt will fly off
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 09:11 PM
  #15  
94camaroz28lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Pocket
Ideal is halfway between the two stops of the tensioner swing. You wont always be able to be dead on for all cases. Remember, belts stretch as they get used and age so push it a little to the too small side if you have to pick the lesser of two evils. If the belt is too long and the tensioner hits the fully open stop, the belt will fly off
OK thats good to know.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:36 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE