| Author |
Message |
Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member
Username: Pwehmer
Post Number: 173
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 6:56 pm: | |
Ball bearings are easily damaged on installation.
Forcing or beating a bearing into an improper bore is a sure fire way to shorten it's life to a fraction of the origional life.
The bearing is not made to take a side load- only a radial load.
|
Scott Anderson (Srandrsn)
Junior Member
Username: Srandrsn
Post Number: 168
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 7:02 am: | |
Thanks guys,
I did run the engine without the accesory belts so I know it's not that (hoped it was that). Not only that but I used a narrow piece of wood and set it on the nut of the front bearing and raised the RPM and could feel vibration in conjunction with the squeal. I know for sure it's comming from the bearing. I'll try loosening the tension just a little today and see what happens. The front timing belt does seem pretty tight. Thanks, Scott |
Dave Helms (Davehelms)
Junior Member
Username: Davehelms
Post Number: 64
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 6:40 am: | |
You are still in the safe zone for a slight change in tension. You might have it too tight. They will sing if they are set tight. Listen closely to the timing cover behind the belt drive gear and make sure the bearings that support the gear are not the source of the noise. If they are not, VERY slightly loosen the tension on the timing belt and see if that changes the noise. I have had the aftermarket bearings make a great deal of noise back when I tried them, and finally gave up on them. If it is the tensioner bearing you could just change that, but for $20 some bucks just do the belt as well. Belts (timing) might get quiter with time, but the risk to cost ratio is way too high to wait and find out. If it was too tight, watch for oil leaks around the belt drive gear for the next few weeks. When those bearings go, they leak a fair amount of oil to give you fair warning. |
Paul Jeffery (Peajay)
Junior Member
Username: Peajay
Post Number: 80
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 3:53 am: | |
Sometimes the origin of noise can be very deceptive, you could actually pull off the other belts and give the engine a very short run. I don't know if you did this already but that would eliminate those belts from the problem. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 1097
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 11:56 pm: | |
Squirt a little belt dressing on the accessory drive belts just to be sure; before you go to the trouble of redoing things... |
Scott Anderson (Srandrsn)
Junior Member
Username: Srandrsn
Post Number: 167
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 9:34 pm: | |
I just did the belts a couple of weeks ago on my 80 Gtsi and haven't driven the car more than 300 miles since then. The last two times I went out of the drive I got a gut wrenching "squeal" out of the back. I thought it might be my alternator but upon a little investigation tonight there is no question it's the front bank tensioner bearing.
I took the belt cover off, ran the car and the bearing runs/turns just fine but with increased RPM you get the squeal. Is it just belt squeal... will that go away as the belt breaks in? Or could the brand new bearing be bad? I got my kit from T. Rutlands so it's the right stuff...
I just read the thread about NOT "re-tensioning" your belts so should I get a new belt and bearing or do you think I need/could swap out the bearing for a new one. Thanks, Scott |