Thrust bearing bad news/ good news.

[Racer X]

The bad news:
I found a little bit of bearing material in my oil pan when I pulled apart my engine today. After finding 12 healthy rod bearings and 8 healthy main bearings, I was admittedly confused.

Then I looked at the thrust bearings...



The good news:
I saved the set from my 3.0L, which were in great shape. In fact, at almost twice the mileage, everything on that engine was in better shape than this 3.2L. But I digress...

Before I toss in the new bearings, any ideas on what might cause wear like that on thrust bearings? I've been dicking around with these cars going on 6 years, and I've never seen or heard of a thrust bearing going bad.

Thanks all.

- H.

 

[93rev2sev]

wobbly damper?

 

[hawkeye18]

Whoa. What the **** happened to those? I agree, this is certainly the first case of bad thrust bearings I've heard of.

 

[Racer X]

wobbly damper?

It's a NOS damper. Been on less than 50k.

 

[93rev2sev]

what did it replace?

 

[Racer X]

The ATX single belt damper that came with the engine.

I have a 3.2L in my MTX.

 

[gmorrell]

What kind of clutch? Were both thrust bearings worn, or just one? If just one, which one?

 

[Racer X]

The transaxle facing bearing.

I've never had anything bigger than a Stage 1 clutch in this car, and before that, there was an ATX behind this engine.

*edit*
Current clutch is a Southbend Clutch (DxD) Rally Series Stage 1 clutch. Prior to that was a couple of AutoZone stock replacements. The first was good, the second had a PP defect. It was replaced by the DxD.

 

[drivinhard]

What kind of clutch? Were both thrust bearings worn, or just one? If just one, which one?

yeah I was thinking the same. twin spring clutch, trying to push the crank out the front of the block when you press the pedal.

 

[93rev2sev]

Is that 3 clutches in 50,000 miles? or 2? Was there throwout bearing damage or finger wear with either? If it's not the stiffness of the clutch, maybe you've been resting your foot on it?

(my earlier post assumed you just got this from an ATX. I didn't know you put 50k on it).

 

[Racer X]

The first clutch was a holdover from the 3.0L I swapped out. I was admittedly in a rush, and only did a rod bearing service, and replaced the TOB. The second clutch was a dud and only lasted 900 miles. The current clutch has been in since 9/07... I'd have to go to the car to check the mileage, but I want to say it's less than 15k on it.

That said, yes, there is finger wear on the PP. Nothing crazy like missing fingers, but it's there.

I never rest my foot on the clutch. Not even at lights.

 

[93rev2sev]

I never rest my foot on the clutch. Not even at lights.

I wonder if there was an adjustment problem that kept TOB pressure on the fingers.

 

[Racer X]

Isn't there supposed to be TOB pressure on the fingers? When you pull up to adjust the clutch pedal, the spring in the pawl introduces tension into the cable, which will apply the TOB to the pressure plate a little.

 

[93rev2sev]

nope. When your foot is off the pedal, there should almost no pressure on the TOB. The weight of the pedal will keep it in contact with the fingers...but pressure? I would not call it that.