575 on the move

I never cut it open. What I did find was big pieces. I doubt anything went through the strainers on the oil pickups.

 

There is no question a good warm up is important.

 

I should explain more fully. The bearing did not "wear out" in an accelerated fashion creating fine metal debris. It appeared that the ball cage failed at is welds or rivets holding the balls spaced apart. The cage was broken into pieces and laying in the bottom. When that happens the side load on the bearing pushes the now free to move around balls to one side. The races are now far enough apart on the one side the balls are free to just fall out, which they did. It all collected in the bottom.

 

Had my passenger side fail too.

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I have never seen a lower cam drive bearing even look bad before it was making so much noise we did something about it.

 

Crazy right, it was making the tiniest of squeaks and I mean TINY. Almost not noticeable and certainly not with the radio on. Anyway, I brought it in for a turn signal bulb change and “minor occasional squeaking at low RPM’s”. Go figure.
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Mine does that whenever the battery is getting borderline

 

I found that that light comes on if the car is started a few times without moving the car much.

 

My 456m did when it sat too long and and accumulators needed replacement. I’ll see if still an issue now I replaced the accumulators….

 

Do you know what caused it? Many reasons a belt can slip or break.

Sorry for your experience.

 

Sorry for your bad luck Clyde. Were there any unusual noises or clues before the failure?

 

Cam drive bearings have been the "weakest" part of my '02 575. First failure at 2 1/2 years and 10k miles. 3(?) more replacements with belt changes since then. I'm very paranoid about changes in engine noise...about 10 years ago, the wife mentioned that something sounded different, bad bearing. With next belt change, maybe request replace with Hill Engineering bearings?

 

I guess I better get the stethescope out. I hate to hear of failures like this. Worrisome...

 

@Clyde Romero this really stinks, I’ve enjoyed this thread and will look forward to its extension as you find a replacement.

No affiliation but our friend @stevepaa has a very well attended to 575 that he has owned for a long time that he is ready to sell.

 

Clyde- Sorry to hear. I know she was well maintained.

 

My 2002 575M (the first U.S. spec 575 made) also suffered failure of the cam drive bearings at 32,000 miles (while in possession of a previous owner). Luckily, a mechanic noticed an “abnormal noise” coming from the front of the engine and caught it in time, thereby preventing catastrophic damage. Nevertheless, the engine had to come out for repairs by the dealer at a cost of $6,200.

Alan
N.J.

 

Must have been more than cam drive bearings. Those are easily done in the car.