An engine system is provided with a crankshaft gear coupled to a crankshaft of an engine for rotation therewith, and a balance gear coupled to a balance shaft for rotation therewith. The balance gear and crankshaft gear are in meshed engagement. The balance gear is formed by a series of sectors connected by a series of resilient blocks, with each sector defining first and second recesses along opposite radial edges sized to receive adjacent blocks, respectively. Each elastomeric block is configured to deform both normally and in shear thereby providing damping for the gear. A gear such as the balance gear, and a method of forming the gear are also provided.