Twisted Turbo

[christopher m]

Hi guys,just wondering if anyone else has heard of the impeller shaft bending on a phoon before? had mine boostd couple of months ago...(305 RWKW)16 psi...went for a thrash on saturday with a lazy half hour drive back too cool things down, no problems. went out on thursday and got 500 meters down the road when I could hear the impeller rubbing on the housing.tunning guys reckon its fairly common once you modify...I think that was what he said as I was still in shock that it happened and about the price he quoted to fix it! would appreciate any thoughts on this, cheers

[Ralph Wiggum]

have never heard of them bendings shafts. Bearings packs fail regulary on higher km cars that have never had the turbo oil supply filter changed. I'd suggest searching the board for threads on turbo failures and replacement costs and changing tuners.

[Impellor]

I would have thought that the impellor shaft could actually bend only if bearing failure occurred.I cant recall this particular failure happening to anyone else. Further, I would say your tuner is not wanting to take responsibility, but I am not sure this is something he would have any control over. Cheers

[christopher m]

yaeh thanks for your comments,on the bent shaft,I've only looked down the throat of it with the inlet pipe of and when you spin the impeller by hand you can see the shaft is eccentric now, so I suppose its probably the bearings. not trying to lame blame with the tuner just trying to see how up front he is with me. reckon I can get the job done a lot cheaper than 2200.......any suggestions as to replacement or should I stick to original operating equipement..someone told me I should havethe 'waste gate enlarged'slightly while ive got it in pieces?

[Impellor]

My feelings are that the original turbo is still a good option for the power you are making. Should be able to find a siutable replacement for less than $2200 without to much trouble. Further you may find that an inline cleanable filter replacement will help keep the bearings lubed. Cheers

[christopher m]

thanks for the come back, I appriciate all respones v.much,now thinking of getting the original re-conned. do you guys know of quality operators in Perth. am also running stock exhuast. iknow the motor wants to breathe better but dont know much about them or dump pipes. any tips? cheers

[christopher m]

oh I forgot ,the other option for a turbo is a low milleage one from the wreckers.not sure about that one though

[Jez89]

I doubt the shaft would be bent. Sounds like the bearings are on the way out. Either way, if the cartridge hasn't stuffed your housings you should be able to get away with just replacing the cartrige. Probably a better and cheaper option than a whole second hand unit or rebuilding your current one.

[christopher m]

thanks jez89, maybe a dumb question but what is the cartridge?Ive had some rubfrom the impellor though ,is that what you mean?

[Ralph Wiggum]

The cartridge is the centre assembly of the turbo that contains the bearings,seals and supports the compressor and turbine wheels

as per pic