Harmonic balancer replacement

[silverc5]

1997 , 46000 miles. Had car in for AC checkup at dealer. Technician said harmonic balancer should be replaced in future. He shined a light on the belts as engine was running to show me the balancer had a slight wobble to it. They want $745 to replace, is this necessary ? Or is the dealer just trying to find things to replace ?

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by silverc5

1997 , 46000 miles. Had car in for AC checkup at dealer. Technician said harmonic balancer should be replaced in future. He shined a light on the belts as engine was running to show me the balancer had a slight wobble to it. They want $745 to replace, is this necessary ? Or is the dealer just trying to find things to replace ?

I have not seen one yet that did not have some slight wobble.

Go to a car show & compare yours to a few others.

Mine wobbles (a little).

:)

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by silverc5

1997 , 46000 miles. Had car in for AC checkup at dealer. Technician said harmonic balancer should be replaced in future. He shined a light on the belts as engine was running to show me the balancer had a slight wobble to it. They want $745 to replace, is this necessary ? Or is the dealer just trying to find things to replace ?

A slight wobble is considered normal at hot idle, and a new one may do the same thing. Check belt aligment to see if it is off, if so do the balancer. If you do decide to do the balancer for the wobble, get in writing before any work is done that the repair facility will gaurantee that their new balancer will absolutely, positively, have no wobble at all at hot idle. Hot idle is where you will notice it the most visually, as the revs go up it is harder to detect, so make sure that they gaurantee not only their work but the problem that is being repaired. I just read froggy's reply, that is an excellent idea. Good luck with it.