Knocking - Thrust Bearing?
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Toledo, OH
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Car: '87 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8L V6
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Knocking - Thrust Bearing?
Hey all,
My 87 RS with the 2.8L developed a knock a few days ago. I've been driving it VERY scarcely, and the highest RPM I will allow it to get to is my highest shift point (about 2100 from 3 to OD). I asked a few of my mechanic friends, and they all said it sounded like a rod knock. I thought that was weird considering since I've owned the car the oil has always looked fresh, been full, and the pressure has been awesome. I got to looking around, and discovered that the knocking sound could actually have been a broken flexplate. So, tonight I crawled under the car with one of my mechanic buddies and we checked it out. We first unbolted the torque converter to rule that out, which was effective. However, It seems like the knocking is coming from the very end of the oil pan and very close to where the flexplate and torque converter meet. Upon attempting to pry the torque converter back a little further to get a little better look at the flexplate, we discovered that the the crank actually has quite a bit of forward and backward play. He said it appears to be a thrust bearing failure. What do you guys think? Is there any surefire way to check this? Thanks for any replies. If it comes down to it, I guess my 350 swap will be happening a little sooner than planned.
My 87 RS with the 2.8L developed a knock a few days ago. I've been driving it VERY scarcely, and the highest RPM I will allow it to get to is my highest shift point (about 2100 from 3 to OD). I asked a few of my mechanic friends, and they all said it sounded like a rod knock. I thought that was weird considering since I've owned the car the oil has always looked fresh, been full, and the pressure has been awesome. I got to looking around, and discovered that the knocking sound could actually have been a broken flexplate. So, tonight I crawled under the car with one of my mechanic buddies and we checked it out. We first unbolted the torque converter to rule that out, which was effective. However, It seems like the knocking is coming from the very end of the oil pan and very close to where the flexplate and torque converter meet. Upon attempting to pry the torque converter back a little further to get a little better look at the flexplate, we discovered that the the crank actually has quite a bit of forward and backward play. He said it appears to be a thrust bearing failure. What do you guys think? Is there any surefire way to check this? Thanks for any replies. If it comes down to it, I guess my 350 swap will be happening a little sooner than planned.
#2
Supreme Member
Re: Knocking - Thrust Bearing?
That's probably the correct diagnosis. Crank should only be able to move fore/aft by a few thousandths of an inch in the engine.
Now before you get all excited that it's just a bearing issue you should know that the crank's thrust faces (that the thrust bearing rides against) are often roached as well, resulting in the crank needing replacement. This could be more repair work than is cost effective. But you won't know until you get the motor out and tear it down.
Now before you get all excited that it's just a bearing issue you should know that the crank's thrust faces (that the thrust bearing rides against) are often roached as well, resulting in the crank needing replacement. This could be more repair work than is cost effective. But you won't know until you get the motor out and tear it down.
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