Please help clarify vfaq on balance shaft removal

[nolimits]

I'm in the process of some other work including TB, and decided to remove the balance shafts. The vfaq has the procedure, but adds this:

Note that you don't have to replace the front shaft bearings with these blockoff bearings. It is recommended that you do so if you are working on an engine that is out of the car, but if it is in the car, many people have had no problems with just removing the balance shaft belt and letting the front shaft "block" the holes in the front bearings. If you leave the front shaft in place, it shouldn't hurt anything. Just make sure that you leave the sprocket and spacer on the front shaft so that it is locked into place and doesn't move back and forth in the bearings.

The only real advantages of using the blockoff bearings are:

The oil pressure will be raised slightly as the oil will not be exiting through the bearings. On an older engine with wear in the oil pump, this is a good thing.
The stock bearings are 2 piece bearings, and if they are very old, it is possible that the bearings can come apart. The possibility of this happening is extremely low, however.

Is that saying that only the rear shaft needs to be replaced with the stub shaft, while all bearings remain and the plug isn't used since the gear is still in place?? Why couldn't the belt be just disconnected, and save a lot of labor, since by leaving the shaft in maintains oil pressure? Would the oil pan even need to be removed in this case? Maybe I'm missing something here! Please help!

 

[92redman]

If you disconnect the belt, the rear balance shaft will still be turning because it is attatched to the oil pump gear. It is okay to leave the front in place because with out a belt it won't turn.

 

[nolimits]

That makes sense. I've decided to go about it the right way and finish tearing down...I just had a moment of weakness and was looking for an easy way out. I'm better now.

 

[Raph]

Do you have to remove the Engine to get the Shafts out,or can i just lower the Motor on the drivers side and kinda get em out at an angle through the wheelwell opening??

Im gonna do my Timingbelt in Winter when the car is in storage ,and i figured when im doing this,i might as well remove the balance shafts and do a Cam job too.

 

[nolimits]

Originally posted by Raph
Do you have to remove the Engine to get the Shafts out,or can i just lower the Motor on the drivers side and kinda get em out at an angle through the wheelwell opening??

I couldn't lower the motor enough, so I pulled out the shafts as far as I could, used a reciprocating saw to saw off what was accessible, and then I could remove the remaing piece. I had the front and rear mounts loose and the driver side removed...maybe if I had removed the trans mount it could have been done. the next dilema was to remove the 2 bearings and reinstall the new ones. This was a little tricky and some tool improvisation was needed. I destroyed my first inner bearing from starting it crooked...so I reused the old bearing. The outer went fine. It's done and ready for reassembly now, but I'm waiting for a replacement oil pump cover...I discovered the "ear" for the alternator to bolt onto was badly cracked. My motor mount was broken, too, but I just got the prothane insert.


One more thing....follow the instructions on vfaq. Everytime I tried taking a shortcut or a alternative method I got burned.

 

[92redman]

Yes, I had the tranny out when I did mine. It is definately doable while still in the car if you unbolt the tranny mount.

 

[Raph]

Originally posted by nolimits


I couldn't lower the motor enough, so I pulled out the shafts as far as I could, used a reciprocating saw to saw off what was accessible, and then I could remove the remaing piece. I had the front and rear mounts loose and the driver side removed...maybe if I had removed the trans mount it could have been done. the next dilema was to remove the 2 bearings and reinstall the new ones. This was a little tricky and some tool improvisation was needed. I destroyed my first inner bearing from starting it crooked...so I reused the old bearing. The outer went fine. It's done and ready for reassembly now, but I'm waiting for a replacement oil pump cover...I discovered the "ear" for the alternator to bolt onto was badly cracked. My motor mount was broken, too, but I just got the prothane insert.


One more thing....follow the instructions on vfaq. Everytime I tried taking a shortcut or a alternative method I got burned.

^^êverytime i try to access that Vfaq,i get a "504 Forbidden no access "

can someone please post the exact link or something?

does this have anything to do with my Internet Firewall?"

thanks guys

 

[turboholic]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/balance-shafts.html