Lower Balance Shaft Won't Turn When Tightened

[Deemar]

By carrier, I meant the part shown as 19/25 in the diagram above. If you don't have power steering yours will look different, but it's the part the oil seal sits in. Take lots of pics when you take it apart. If you haven't taken it apart to see what's back there, that's a must!!

Oh yes, I've had that off 10 times. That's what I posted earlier, the O-ring on the back of that assembly was pinched so I thought maybe that was binding it from going all the way into the block. I removed that O-ring this morning and reassembled to see if everything would seat farther in and move the shaft back but nope, still the same.

It does feel like the shaft is too far forward up against the block and friction is stopping it from spinning. If I can somehow seat the shaft farther back, it seems the problem would be solved but tightening the bolt on the lower balance shaft pulley seems to suck it forward into the block and binds if up.

There is about 1/8 inch fore / aft play in the shaft with the pulley off but like I mentioned, that pulls all the way out once I tighten the bolt. When I pull / push the shaft with it all taken apart, I can hear it clunking against each end of the block. Maybe I'll take a long video showing everything, would that help? I didn't want to force anyone to sit through that but if you're willing to watch, I'll do that today.

[Tom]

By carrier, I meant the part shown as 19/25 in the diagram above. If you don't have power steering yours will look different, but it's the part the oil seal sits in. Take lots of pics when you take it apart. If you haven't taken it apart to see what's back there, that's a must!!

Oh yes, I've had that off 10 times. That's what I posted earlier, the O-ring on the back of that assembly was pinched so I thought maybe that was binding it from going all the way into the block. I removed that O-ring this morning and reassembled to see if everything would seat farther in and move the shaft back but nope, still the same.

It does feel like the shaft is too far forward up against the block and friction is stopping it from spinning. If I can somehow seat the shaft farther back, it seems the problem would be solved but tightening the bolt on the lower balance shaft pulley seems to suck it forward into the block and binds if up.

There is about 1/8 inch fore / aft play in the shaft with the pulley off but like I mentioned, that pulls all the way out once I tighten the bolt. When I pull / push the shaft with it all taken apart, I can hear it clunking against each end of the block. Maybe I'll take a long video showing everything, would that help? I didn't want to force anyone to sit through that but if you're willing to watch, I'll do that today.

Sure, do a video!

[Deemar]

[Tom]

What happens if you torque the pully bolt tight, but leave the 3 bolts holding the carrier loose?

[Deemar]

What happens if you torque the pully bolt tight, but leave the 3 bolts holding the carrier loose?

Tried that, same result. I left them finger tight.

[Tom]

I went out and checked an old motor. See video below. When I watch your video toward the end, you balance shaft seems to bind up with you pull it forward, whereas mine gets a little tighter but still turns fairly easily. That makes me think either the rear bearing is bad and/or the shaft has more or less axial play (back and forth) that it should due to something going on under the balance shaft cover.

[Deemar]

I went out and checked an old motor. See video below. When I watch your video toward the end, you balance shaft seems to bind up with you pull it forward, whereas mine gets a little tighter but still turns fairly easily. That makes me think either the rear bearing is bad and/or the shaft has more or less axial play (back and forth) that it should due to something going on under the balance shaft cover.

Confirmed. I took it all apart again and it feels like a linear relationship between the increase in pulling pressure and the increase in friction. When I pull as hard as I can, it won't rotate at all.
Are you saying I need to take off that plate cover, pull out the shaft and look at the bearings now?

[Tom]

I went out and checked an old motor. See video below. When I watch your video toward the end, you balance shaft seems to bind up with you pull it forward, whereas mine gets a little tighter but still turns fairly easily. That makes me think either the rear bearing is bad and/or the shaft has more or less axial play (back and forth) that it should due to something going on under the balance shaft cover.

Confirmed. I took it all apart again and it feels like a linear relationship between the increase in pulling pressure and the increase in friction. When I pull as hard as I can, it won't rotate at all.
Are you saying I need to take off that plate cover, pull out the shaft and look at the bearings now?

That's probably what I'd do (and replace the bearings and rear seal either way). Hate to suggest work without knowing for sure it will help (and to be clear, I don't), but if it won't turn when the shaft if all the way forward, I'm thinking something is binding in there. If you want, measure the axial play and I'll compare it to mine. If it is pulling forward more or less than mine, that might give a clue, although you'd still need to pull the cover off to deal with whatever it is...

[barnwerks]

The axial positioning of the balance shaft is controlled completely in the front housing. I suspect the bearing insert sleeve in your front housing may be overhanging toward the front and binding on the rear flange of the race when the pulley is tightened.

[Deemar]

The axial positioning of the balance shaft is controlled completely in the front housing. I suspect the bearing insert sleeve in your front housing may be overhanging toward the front and binding on the rear flange of the race when the pulley is tightened.

You might actually be right. I took the race out and felt my finger in there, there is a 1 millimetre ridge where the bearing is slightly higher. I didn't take a photo of the back side but it does appear to sit 1 millimetre lower on the back side. Would this stop it from rotating? It may not be the issue because the shaft does spin independently inside the race so it shouldn't matter if the race spins or not.
Now how do I move this bearing back in place? I don't have a press but I guess I could potentially buy one.

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