I just finished putting my sr20 t25 back together after clocking it and I noticed some shaft play...I'm not sure if it's within spec though. I'm going to run the turbo regardless but would like to see if this is okay. If I put a hand on each inlet nut and exhaust nut and wiggle back in forth I hear a slight "click" sound coming from the middle of the turbine. The blades don't come in contact with the wall though. I also tried hooking it up to the vacuum and didn't hear any weird sounds when it spun. If I remember correctly, when I pulled the turbo off my old srt it made the same little "click" when wiggled.

 

so u just clocked it, u didnt rebuild it?

if it was shot b4 its still gunna be shot. id say pick up a rebuild kit anyway.

 

so you took it all apart just to clock it???

 

I removed the exhaust housing and rotated the inlet housing and put it all back together. When I got it all back together I noticed the shaft play.

 

Did you use carb cleaner on the CHRA?

 

no, i used pb blaster to get the exhaust housing loose

 

A little shaft play is fine as long as the wheels do not contact the housing. I just rebuilt mine and there is still a tiny amount of shaft play but I dont see how there couldn't always be just a little. The thrust washer is what allows it to happen and even with a brand new one its still allowing a bit of play.

 

Hope you didn't get any PB inside the oil inlet/outlet, it will break down the oil coating on the bearings. I once bought a turbo that the previous owner had used carb cleaner inside the chra and it ended up having a very tight shaft.

 

ehhh...I guess we'll find out what happens when I put it on.

 

well on second thought...after looking at the t25 build thread...and since it will be about 2 months until I put it on...I'll see about just rebuilding it.