Q: How to remove, inspect, and install the balance shaft chain and balance shafts for Saturn LS and LS1?
A: A note at the end stresses that this is a delicate procedure and if undertaken, the engine must be removed from the vehicle although care should be taken since replacement of balance shaft bushings needs a professional machine shop. The removal starts with disconnecting the negative battery cable, draining the oil in the engine, detaching of sprockets, guides and Timing Chains as well as ensuring that the engine is in TDC for cylinder number 1. Also, chain tensioner and guides of balance shaft are removed after which balance shaft drive chain is released. When removing balance shafts (engine removed), remove balance shaft retainer bolts so as to pull them out carefully from the engine block with caution to mark them for proper reassembly. Various components need to be inspected for damage or wear. The most important thing when installing is to ensure that number one piston is at TDC given that crankshaft has been rotated. Then tighten balance shaft retainer bolts once balance shafts are installed into engine block. This part explains how to align a set of sprockets of balance shaft and how chain fits them using locating marks and colored links on them as references. It consists of installation of chain guides, resetting and reinstalling balance shaft chain tensioner, checking timing marks etc. Finally, put back both timing chain and all other components you had removed earlier then reconnect battery.