14B stiff after rebuild

[USAF 98 GSX]

So I was given a 14b for free for helping out a fellow DSMer in the local area. It had the typical side/side play but also a good amount of in/out play. Obviously in need of a rebuild. Other than the shaft play, it spun freely very easily and there were no marks on any housing parts.

So after rebuilding and assembly I noticed that the shaft barely spins. With a quick twist of my fingers I would normally get about 3 full rotations. Now its anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of a rotation. I narrowed it down to the turbine seal which seems to give everyone a hard time. The way I know the seal is the problem is because I reinstalled the old one and it spun PERFECTLY with all of the other new parts. Reinstalled the new turbine seal again and I once again had a bit of trouble.

Is this typical of a fresh rebuild? (My first turbo rebuild btw) The other seal did have a good amount of wear to it, so did that help let it spin freely even though it shouldn't have?

Help please, or some type of reassurance before I install it in the morning.

Thanks

 

[JusMX141]

Nope- sounds like the turbine sealing ring groove is pinched. If it's not too bad you can file it wider until the ring moves freely....if it's bad, the turbine will need replaced.

Don't bother using the old sealing ring or oil will run right into the exhaust.

 

[USAF 98 GSX]

Oh so my problem isnt the seal, but the groove that the seal is in? Makes sense why a worn down, thinner seal would spin freely. Thanks

 

[JusMX141]

Common problem when the turbo has so much play that the shaft itself can rub the housing a bit. If it's real bad, often the turbine seal lip inside the housing will be so badly trashed that the turbo cannot be rebuilt.

 

[USAF 98 GSX]

Well you were right, the seal groove had a bit of a bend in it. It was a gradual pinch which I was able to sand down a slight bit with some 800 grit sand paper. Also there were a few nicks on the new seal that I was able to clean up with some 800 grit sp too. After about 15 mins of some precision sanding, it spun like a champ. No in and out and little side to side. just enough for oil to get around. Well tomorrow will be the day we will test and see. If anything goes wrong, looks like I'll be buying a new turbine wheel and shaft.

Thank you again for your quick response, I wouldn't have been able to go to bed 'til i figured it out.

 

[okm12346]

What about when its hard to turn after a full rebuild - i mean shaft too. Do i have to file down the groove?

 

[JusMX141]

My trick for minor seal groove pinches is to clamp the shaft into my drill press at slow speed and use an ignition point file to flatten out the high spot.

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Again if the groove is pinched really bad or partially worn away, at the very minimum the turbine will need replaced....although you should start shopping for a new turbo if it's that bad.