Spun balance shaft bearing, what are my options?

[jepherz]

The front balance shaft in my car was real rough, so I was going to go ahead and pull the rear shaft and leave the front in (while in the car). When taking the front cover off, I found that the bearing has completely spun itself from the block.

If I want to remove the front shaft in the car, what are my options?

I'm a little concerned that if I just press a new bearing in, it won't seal because the material has maybe worn away enough. I'm thinking that most/all of the wear is on the bearing though, since it is much softer material. Is this a good enough assumption and should I just press the new bearing in and forget about it?

Thanks for the help!

 

[89coltgt]

I would press a new one in and see how tight it fits in there.

 

[boostedinaz]

Why not just leave the front shaft in and cal it a day?

 

[iceman69510]

I think John (atc250r) said he used JB weld to install one when he had damage to the block from the bearing spinning.

 

[jepherz]

Quoting boostedinaz:
Why not just leave the front shaft in and cal it a day?



I think that'd be asking for trouble. The bearing is already partially pulled out anyways, and is completely loose within the housing and tight on the shaft. I don't really have an option at this point.

 

[boostedinaz]

Okay that makes sense. Really the only way to tell would be to pull the shaft and see how bad it is. Might as well buy new bearings and see just how tight they fit. If they don't fit then hit up some bearing companies and see if they have some oversized options.

 

[Struc]

there are plugs in the block where the original oil holes were drilled, which you can take out, drill & tap the oil feed, and put a plug into it. Of course, with the engine in the car, that may not be the easy way to go, but it will fix it for good.

 

[iceman69510]

That is what I had the shop do on my last rebuild. Machinist just press fit rod into the oil holes, so no more need for any bearings.