Thrust bearing sanding.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Thrust bearing sanding. I am putting together my engine and the end play isn’t in spec yet( don’t have the numbers off the top of my hand as I’m not in town while writing this). To my understanding,I take both thrust bearings and clamp together under soft pressure and sand them on a piece of 600 grit with light oil like lubricants (like wd40) in a figure 8 motion on a piece of glass or like granite till I hit the desired spec. Am I missing anything ? I was told that only 1 side should be sanded and that it should be the side of the bearing that is facing the crank snout .
I am putting together my engine and the end play isn’t in spec yet( don’t have the numbers off the top of my hand as I’m not in town while writing this). To my understanding,I take both thrust bearings and clamp together under soft pressure and sand them on a piece of 600 grit with light oil like lubricants (like wd40) in a figure 8 motion on a piece of glass or like granite till I hit the desired spec. Am I missing anything ? I was told that only 1 side should be sanded and that it should be the side of the bearing that is facing the crank snout .
As you stated, use a piece of granite or thick glass. Apply a little cutting oil, wd-40, or whatever thin oil you have, to the surface. Lay down the sand paper on the oiled surface…this holds the paper in place. Put a liberal amount of oil on the sandpaper and with light, even pressure, go in figure 8’s. Pretty much as you described above. Go slow and measure often, in 3 places across the bearing shoulders.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 532
Likes: 630
One thing to remember is that the crank is only ever pushed forward so the back of the thrust bearing is the only side that will be worn. If you have a clutch it pushes the crank forward, and so does a torque converter. If you can do this sanding operation such that the back side of the bearing is intact that may be a good idea.
One thing to remember is that the crank is only ever pushed forward so the back of the thrust bearing is the only side that will be worn. If you have a clutch it pushes the crank forward, and so does a torque converter. If you can do this sanding operation such that the back side of the bearing is intact that may be a good idea.
