Turbo Shaft Free Play

[Steven Tyminski]

Recently checked the free play in my 1997 5.9 w/175K miles.
The shaft is not tight and does have play.
I didn't throw a dial indicator on it but, there is significant wiggle.
Q: Is there a spec for the amount of radial runout on the turbo shaft?

 

[BigPapa]

Is the “play” sisde-to-side or in-and-out?

-Scott

 

[Steven Tyminski]

Side to side is radial , in and out is axial.
Mine is radial runout/play

 

[BigPapa]

So, you want help here or do you just want to show everyone how “intelligent” you are?

-Scott

 

[Steven Tyminski]

Sorry, I didn't intend to offend you or anyone else.
I am seeking help.

 

[Steven Tyminski]

Not intending to offend anyone. I too am here to learn.

 

[Signal73]

Any in/out is bad. A little up down is normal, as the shaft rides on a film of oil when the turbo is spinning. If you can lift up on the shaft and spin the wheel by hand and the blade makes contact with the compressor housing it’s rebuild time.

 

[Steven Tyminski]

Any in/out is bad. A little up down is normal, as the shaft rides on a film of oil when the turbo is spinning. If you can lift up on the shaft and spin the wheel by hand and the blade makes contact with the compressor housing it’s rebuild time.

Thanks Signal 73, there is no in/out movement, just a bit of up/down and not near the housing at all.

 

[GrantP]

Thanks Signal 73, there is no in/out movement, just a bit of up/down and not near the housing at all.

Unless you're having some other issues that lead you to check this I think you're fine. Your description sounds exactly like the way my 97 was after nearly 200k, it ran great. A little searching suggests the radial play should be between .013 and .020 if you really want to check it.

 

[Steven Tyminski]

Unless you're having some other issues that lead you to check this I think you're fine. Your description sounds exactly like the way my 97 was after nearly 200k, it ran great. A little searching suggests the radial play should be between .013 and .020 if you really want to check it.

Thank You GrantP, next time I am servicing the area, I will check and record.

 

[Michaelsloft]

Sorry, I didn't intend to offend you or anyone else.
I am seeking help.

Welcome to the TDR!

Always interested in learning more about service records and maintenance, as my 1999 is getting close to 20 years old & 261K miles. And would like to know what the radial measurements indicate when you have them available.

Michael

 

[petersonj]

The shaft is not tight and does have play.

I am not sure how you checked for this movement, but if you're only moving the compressor end of the turbo, then excessive play will be there. It is my understanding that that the shaft on the compressor end and the shaft on the exhaust end must be moved together radially to perform this check.

However, from what you have observed and since no contact of the compressor wheel and housing is occurring, I think the turbo is fine.

I have crossed over 300,000 miles with the original turbo. I only move the compressor end when I make the check. I figure that if it is not contacting the housing, the engine is not consuming oil, and the engine power is where it should, then the turbo is doing what it is suppose to do. Not very scientific, I know. My experience has been that turbos usually have a very long life (on any engine) if they are filtered and oiled properly.

- John

 

[Steven Tyminski]

I am not sure how you checked for this movement, but if you're only moving the compressor end of the turbo, then excessive play will be there. It is my understanding that that the shaft on the compressor end and the shaft on the exhaust end must be moved together radially to perform this check.

However, from what you have observed and since no contact of the compressor wheel and housing is occurring, I think the turbo is fine.

I have crossed over 300,000 miles with the original turbo. I only move the compressor end when I make the check. I figure that if it is not contacting the housing, the engine is not consuming oil, and the engine power is where it should, then the turbo is doing what it is suppose to do. Not very scientific, I know. My experience has been that turbos usually have a very long life (on any engine) if they are filtered and oiled properly.

- John

John, I like you comment regarding turbo shaft end play and I agree that each turbo model would have a different end of initial shaft movement specification because of the distance between the bearings (pivot) to the end of the shaft. The longer the shaft, the greater the movement. In my case I am not measuring against a specification but against a base measurement. So, once I make the first measurement, I can compare subsequent measurements for change.

 

[Steven Tyminski]

 

[Chief USA]

Not intending to offend anyone. I too am here to learn.

No offense taken. I'm learning about this right along with you.