What is crankwalk?

[Mytrn2brn]

HI. Guys can someone explain what cramkwalk is and what the signs are. Also if you know how to fix this issue.

 

[travislaw]

HI. Guys can someone explain what cramkwalk is and what the signs are. Also if you know how to fix this issue.

http://members.shaw.ca/costall/1000Q/answers-terms.htm#whatiscrankwalk

There are tons of people that have asked this question, lots of advice if you use the search function and type crankwalk, above is a link that Ludachris posted for newbies.

 

[guitarhero14]

Please use the search.

http://members.shaw.ca/costall/1000Q/answers-terms.htm#whatiscrankwalk

*EDIT* - travis you beat me to it

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Crankwalk is something that is highly overrated, can happen to just about any engine, but for some reason everyone seems to think that only 95-99 4G63s do it.

Research it a little, then forget about it. Crankwalk can happen to any of us, but more than likely it won't.

 

[importboost]

What are you guys talkin bout? I've never heard of cramkwalk?????

 

[GTM]

Crankwalk is something that is highly overrated, can happen to just about any engine, but for some reason everyone seems to think that only 95-99 4G63s do it.

Research it a little, then forget about it. Crankwalk can happen to any of us, but more than likely it won't.

If I may, this is a bit too dismissive and paints with too broad a brush. In my many decades in the "foreign car" industry this is the only product that has a known factory build problem within a series of engines. It rarely shows up in any product line with automatic for there is little axial thrust placed on the crank unlike a throwout bearing and clutch pressure plate.

With the affordable popularity of these cars and their ability to accept HP increases along with heavier pressure plates to get more wheel spin to impress the driver next to them comes the increase in failures. Probably a higher incidence since they may be a first car from an affordability aspect and riding the clutch thus exposing more continuous pressure against the thrust bearing.

While checking is not too involved it probably is overlooked by novice and professional unless they detect a problem. I do agree the poster should have taken the time to read what has been posted before asking the question.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[FORMONTOYA]

If I may, this is a bit too dismissive and paints with too broad a brush.

I'll give it to ya...it is a problem straight from the factory with higher incidence in 95s and gradually going down in numbers through the years. And your also correct that most people don't check until it breaks which also leads me to believe that some have been misdiagnosed as crankwalk when in reality it wasn't.

Does it happen?? Sure.
Am I going to worry about it?? No.
Do I think I will wreck my car before it sees crankwalk?? Probably.

It does happen but I believe there are more important things to worry about when dealing with my car.

 

[Mytrn2brn]

Thanks guys for the info. I have read the AAQ link and know understand what crank walk is. I'm not having any of problens the article speaks of but would it be a good idea to change the crankshaft bearing as a peremptive type thing or is it to much trouble to deal with if you aren't having a problem?

 

[GTM]

Am I going to worry about it?? No.
Do I think I will wreck my car before it sees crankwalk?? Probably.

It does happen but I believe there are more important things to worry about when dealing with my car.

Hehehe, I think you have about summed it up. In a scale of things to worry about more than likely it's way down on that list unless you own a very low mileage car in that series. If you inspect and adjust fan belts once a year this might be the time to spend a few minutes grabbing the crank pulley and push pull for the clunk.
.........................

Reading ahead, the poster asks about "peremptive" measures. No no and no. It requires removing the oil pan, loosening main bearings ajacent to the thrust bearing so the crank will sag, then remove and reinstall with the new thrust bearing. Usually if you are going to do this you would replace them all and possibly the rod bearings at the same time for it's part of a major overhaul. Certainly you could do just the thrust bearing but not usually done especially when there are metal particles found in the oil.

Cheers,
GTM