turbo tolerances

["Mad Max"]

I wanted to clarify some thoughts regarding detecting wear on a used turbo. After searching it seems the general consensus is side-to-side play (with no scraping inside the housing) is okay... and not unexpected... but end play (front-to-back) is not good. Correct?



I've got a used 2nd gen HX-35/12wg combo going on my '93 and it has some side play - enough that I have thought about rebuilding just because I can, but as far as I can tell the blades are not touching the housing. No end play. From what I have read that should good to go, ja?



Many thanks,

- Sam

 

[Bob4x4]

Radial play . 012-. 018

axial play . 001-. 003



Bob

 

[Shadrach]

The shafts/bearings are oil centered so just because there is play, and you can't measure it accurately, don't assume it bad. Shadrach

 

["Mad Max"]

alright so in general it's safe to assume the turbo is 'okay' so long as the blades don't hit the housing - that's what I'm seeing and hearing.

 

[JLEONARD]

What will get you from my experience is the axial play when the thrust bearing wears. That's what took mine out. There was basically nothing left of the bearing (really a bronze plate) and the shaft ate into the housing basically making it non rebuildable. At that point the compressor blades were just starting to hit the housing. (I'm sure the aluminum dust didn't do the engine any good).

turbo is 'okay' so long as the blades don't hit the housing

Yes but just remember that there is more room for play radially than axially per the specs.