Turbo shaft play

ChrisW

ChrisW

Lifer
What does shaft play in a turbo indicate exactely???

Is it a sign that the turbo is on its last legs or that the wheels are about to chew themselves?

I've just bought a TD04 that was supposedly off a 03 WRX with 12,000 miles on, but Im sure that the amount of shaft play is more than it should be, to be honest Im not sure how much shaft play is bad. Anyone?
 
sx_turbo

sx_turbo

Lifer
99% of turbos will have a small ammount of shaft play. but once oil is in the seals and bearings it's generally not a problem.

there obviously can be excessive play.

a small ammount of side to side play is ok, but there shouldnt be any up and down shaft play
 
Monkfish

Monkfish

Member +
Excessive play = worn bearings/shaft

Although, as the guys quite rightly said, there will be some movement in the absence of oil pressure.
 
dantheman

dantheman

Member +
its normal to have some side to side play in the shaft, but there should be NO in and out play. ie pull and push the shaft.. its a floating bearing so once theres oil in there it will take up the majority of the play.
 
Sheldon

Sheldon

Malta Area Rep.
dantheman said:
its normal to have some side to side play in the shaft, but there should be NO in and out play. ie pull and push the shaft.. its a floating bearing so once theres oil in there it will take up the majority of the play.
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ChrisW

ChrisW

Lifer
So really the best indication that you can get is when the turbo is on the car and has had oil pushed through it, then have a play with the shaft? Thats sounds sick doesn't it lol!!
 
Fishy89GT

Fishy89GT

Banned
you should be able to tell with it off the car tbh mate.. the oil pressure will only make minal difference from my experience.. as said above there will always play side to side.. excessive is due to warn bearings which the shaft is placed through.. think these are called journal bearings.. when you have play front to rear this indicates that your thrust bearing has failed.. this in the form of wear which could result in it cracking [ what happened to mine :( ] when your thrust bearing goes it pretty much will take the rest with it apart from the two housings.. so hoplefully you have none front to back :)
 
K

keirz

Member +
side to side play is due to worn journal bearing. most turbos have a little play when drained of oil, but to be honest you should be able to distinguise what is normal and what is excessive. tdo4s usually feel like there is a little play with no oil pressure, but its still only a very tiny movement.

can you make the compressor wheel touch the housing at all?

if there is excessive side to side play, it will have worn the shaft, compressor wheel and also the piston ring area of the bearing housing (making it impossible to seal with a piston ring), basically meaning you will need a whole new core.
 
K

keirz

Member +
you would have to play with it pretty damn hard mate to damage it!

put a slight side load on in and try and spin it slowly to see if it catches.

or pop into your local turbo place and get an opinion from them. they should be able to tell straight away if its excessive with out having to strip it down
 
TurboDave

TurboDave

Member +
I would be looking for marks on the compressor inlet trumpet for signs of the wheel hitting the housing and you can also check the compressor outlet for signs of oil which would indicate oil being passed on the compressor side.

Its harder to tell but you can also look for signs around the turbine wheel for oil residue.

+ what Keirz said :).
 
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