Balance shaft tough to turn

[ultimta]

Long story short, Im doing a timing job on my 97 GST and I noticed while I was attempting to time the oil sprocket and balance shaft sprockets that I was unable to do the twist trick. The sprockets do not spin freely. What does this mean?
I am unable to do what this video shows:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nflPydb2ZRY

 

[PieEyedPiper]

At first glance i'd suggest an immediate BSE, but only so long as you're certain the issue isn't int the pump.

If there is resistance, one of the two are borked.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

At first glance i'd suggest an immediate BSE, but only so long as you're certain the issue isn't int the pump. If there is resistance, one of the two are borked.

You may or may not be looking at a new front
case.

 

[ultimta]

I dont think the issue is the pump because I was getting good oil pressure before and its both sprockets that are difficult to turn. Plus the car hasnt had oil pressure in 2 months ish. Why would I need a new front case?

 

[BogusSVO]

You can still have decent oil pressure even if you are starting to spin the BS bearing.

Now how tight is it to turn the gear by hand?

Is it the oil pump gear or the front BS gear or both?

 

[89Patches]

Sounds like a spun balance shaft bearing or the oil pump has seen better days.

 

[ultimta]

You can still have decent oil pressure even if you are starting to spin the BS bearing.

Now how tight is it to turn the gear by hand?

Is it the oil pump gear or the front BS gear or both?

Its both the oil pump gear and the front bs gear.
Its not too tight to turn by hand but it doesn't spin freely as shown in the video. There is also a certain point in the rotation where it becomes a bit more difficult to turn. Should I finish timing it and start it up and see how it runs? I'm trying to put off a bse if its not needed

 

[1G Eclipse94928]

Its both the oil pump gear and the front bs gear.
Its not too tight to turn by hand but it doesn't spin freely as shown in the video. There is also a certain point in the rotation where it becomes a bit more difficult to turn. Should I finish timing it and start it up and see how it runs? I'm trying to put off a bse if its not needed

its like asking it to break.

 

[darknezz7]

I've done several timing belts on these engines and everything should be spinning freely consistently. On the balance shaft all you should be feeling is the counterweights wanting to rolling it over, it would take a bit more to turn it, but it should be smooth.

If its a mangled bearing and the shaft seizes it will break the balance belt then probably the timing belt and you will be doing a rebuild.