this is my first turbo build, i bought a TD04 and i was reading on this forum on shaft play and supposively this turbo didn't have any. After reading around here and my Maximum Boost book, i decided to give mine a look. I took a pair of needle nose vise grip and stuck it on the shanks to see if it moves the compressor wheel and it moved noticeable up and down and a little side to side. So does this basically mean i got ripped off (as usual) and my turbo is crap and needs a rebuild? If so i guess i will attempt it myself so i will learn how. Thanks .

Dan

 

also when i turn the blades i can hear it shreak as if it's rubbing but i don't see it rubbing but the blades are really close to the metal and there is this ring around the housing of what looks like old oil or something but i couldn't see any scratch marks. Thanks again

 

Generally speaking, if the turbo is within manufacturer's specs, there shouldn't be any axial (in and out)l play noticeable with just pushing with your fingertips. Up and down or side to side play is normal, even a new turbo will have some. However, it shouldn't be enough to let the wheels touch the exhaust or compressor housings.

Now, just because it has some in and out play, doesn't mean that it's unusable, just that it has more thrust bearing wear than is recommended. It may still work just fine, but it's nearing the end of its life and probably doesn't have too many miles left on it.

 

well i couldnt pull it in and out with my fingers cause i couldnt reach my stubby fingers in there hehe i had to use the pliers. On a normal turbo if i were to do that with pliers it wouldnt have moved at all though right? Thanks for the fast replies