Hi all I'm new to the site been in here before to just look around at some Q&A. But first post. I've seen some thing on the suite about turbos making weird noises and trying to find the source( which I'm dealing with) but had a question to see if my turbo could be worn or just blown. I checked the wheel on the cold side today after work and noticed some back and forth play(3/16-1/4) no up and down play. Is that ok, or should it be rebuilt? Haven't lost any boost or power and still runs strong. But the noise makes me friggen nervous! Don't wanna hurt my baby

 

in and out play (bumper to bumper) if you will, is a worn thrust bearing and the turbo should be rebuilt. there is however no possible way it is thrusting 1/4 of an inch without massive contact. up and down play is normal and to be expected. it is a journal bearing charger and the shaft actually rides on a film of oil between the brass bearings and the turbine shaft. when the engine is off the oil pressure isn't there and you can feel and see this gap. press down on the shaft and rotate it, is there contact? there shouldn't be much thrust, ive seen old H1c chargers with lots of thrust and work just fine. however the charger is worn if this is happening and eventually will contact the covers.

 

Thanks for the info. Now when I rebuild. Is it necessary to balance or can I just mark where the wheels sit on the shaft and put them back in the same spot. Reason I ask is I don't know of anywhere in my area that can balance a turbo

 

i would def balance it. you will most likely be close if you mark everything but it is cheap insurance to have it balanced. 130 in/lbs. where are you located?

 

What the 130 in/lbs? I'm in central mass

 

thats the spec on the shaft nut. and there are a few shops around you. ive got a buddy over in middleton i can call and see where he gets his done.

 

wheels are balanced from factory .... dont chase your tail ... I have done manny chargers and never once needed balance ... there neutral balanced so ya dont need to mark anything ... if you clean one fin .. clean them all or you will throw it out of balance ..

 

i hate calling people out its horribly unprofessional but your an idiot if you believe this drivel you are trying to sell to this guy. have you ever balanced a shaft yourself? I balance wheels and shafts about every day. I balanced an hx35 assembly just the other day that was 4 grams out from the factory. you can run that **** if you want but i like .5 grams and under. yes most of the time things come out pretty close and yes things are balanced at the factory and yes under 160hp (old stock 12 valve) applications where shaft speed is well within spec you rarely see failures. however in most cases we see very high boost numbers (close to twice designed pressures) that spin chargers way harder than they were designed for. spend the extra $40 bucks or so and have a professional balance the assembly.

 

Ok so maybe if your oushing the turbo past design I could see why it might be that important ...... ive done atleast 3-400turbos in my career and never a wheel failure ....... guess the big boys dont push them hard enough ..... just rebushed a K31 yesterday .... in a tour bus ... runs awesome ....

But, again were not over clocking our parts as we have whats designed to work in its optimal operating range also ...

 

I'm looking into places to have it balanced. But waiting on the rebuild kit now should be here today. Thanks a lot for the input guys good or bad hahaha