Should turbo shaft have any movement ?
 

Should there be any movement on the centre shaft of the turbo when removed from the car ?, what would be classed as excessive and what would be the effect if fitted to another vehicle ?

Anyone ? you see second hand turbo's for sale all the time saying ' no excessive play' but what do you call excessive ? I honestly don't have a clue what to look for ?

No. A good turbo has no side to side or in and out play. It just spins, that's all. With a bit of wear and age, turbos do get a bit looser, and may have a mm or so of play either way i.e. noticeable when you grab the compressor shaft and try and waggle it. The danger is when they get so out of centre that they can touch the compressor housing and start milling it out. Best bet is to actually ask them to specify how much side to side and in and out play there is.

Turbos will have shaft play even when new, the amount will depend on its actual chra make up. Sleeve bearings by design will have more play than roller/ball bearings. If the comp wheel can moved so far as to make contact with the housing, it will need rebuilding, pretty cheap to do on the TD series.


Jase.

I agree.

New turbos do have play in them, especially in the lateral direction (in/out)

phil