Cat 3116 crank thrust bearing wiped out

[lone wolf]

The automatic transmission was out recently had an aftermarket flywheel installed because the teeth were gone. 180 hrs later the thrust bearing is wiped out from too much pressure coming from the flywheel torque converter area or so it seems to me. The question is what logical steps would you take to check if there is enough free play in before running it with a new bearing? Do you think the torque converter is in wrong is that even possible or do you suspect the flywheel is too thick? Any other things to check?

 

[jrcat]

What is the engine in? It is possible that the aftermarket flywheel has a taller "dish" than the old flywheel. A difference of .050 of an inch is enough to exert some serious pressure against the thrust bearing. How many miles is on the engine? 3116 cats are not known to be very reliable or sturdy engines nor is their successor ...the 3126. More info would be helpful.

 

[lone wolf]

What is the engine in? It is possible that the aftermarket flywheel has a taller "dish" than the old flywheel. A difference of .050 of an inch is enough to exert some serious pressure against the thrust bearing. How many miles is on the engine? 3116 cats are not known to be very reliable or sturdy engines nor is their successor ...the 3126. More info would be helpful.

1991 GMC Topkick 3116 cat 16,000 hrs well maintained.

 

[lone wolf]

View attachment 295049

 

[jrcat]

Wow that bearing is toast. I cant think of any reason why that would have went out other than wrong flywheel or just flat out age. 16,000 hrs is a lot of hrs. It seems to me that if there was a problem with the torque converter or the flywheel you would have had trouble getting it back together. I would say to wait for a few others to chime in on this .

 

[dieselfitter]

The aftermarket flywheel could be dimensional incorrect. With the transmission bolted to the engine, before the torque converter is bolted up to the flywheel, you should be able to push the converter back into the transmission about 1/8"-3/16". This space allows for expansion of the torque converter as it is loaded(ballooning). If there isn't enough clearance, it will be loading your crankshaft thrust on the engine side and, depending on transmission design and clearances, your transmission pump gears and or input shaft thrust bearings/washers.
I'm picking the 1/8"-3/16" dimension from GM automotive experience but it should be an accurate enough dimension to identify a problem. DF

 

[lone wolf]

The aftermarket flywheel could be dimensional incorrect. With the transmission bolted to the engine, before the torque converter is bolted up to the flywheel, you should be able to push the converter back into the transmission about 1/8"-3/16". This space allows for expansion of the torque converter as it is loaded(ballooning). If there isn't enough clearance, it will be loading your crankshaft thrust on the engine side and, depending on transmission design and clearances, your transmission pump gears and or input shaft thrust bearings/washers.
I'm picking the 1/8"-3/16" dimension from GM automotive experience but it should be an accurate enough dimension to identify a problem. DF

So I will unbolt the flex plate bolts and see how much space I have in there when I push the converter back right?

 

[dieselfitter]

So I will unbolt the flex plate bolts and see how much space I have in there when I push the converter back right?

Correct. If you don't have any, it is likely that your crankshaft thrust problem is just the beginning of your problems. The transmission will have seen the other end of this thrust load that is too was not designed for. DF

 

[lone wolf]

Correct. If you don't have any, it is likely that your crankshaft thrust problem is just the beginning of your problems. The transmission will have seen the other end of this thrust load that is too was not designed for. DF

Damn It report back in a week or so and we will see how this goes.

 

[dieselfitter]

I'm hopeful there was some clearance. You are welcome to call me for more information. We can cover more ground in a 5 minute conversation that hours of plinking keys.
One last piece of unsolicited advice,If there is no or too little clearance, don't go into the denial I see so many people do. "It works fine", famous last words as all the transmission hard parts are toast when simple bushings and thrust washers would have been all that was needed.
I'll PM you with contact info. DF

 

[lone wolf]

I'm hopeful there was some clearance. You are welcome to call me for more information. We can cover more ground in a 5 minute conversation that hours of plinking keys.
One last piece of unsolicited advice,If there is no or too little clearance, don't go into the denial I see so many people do. "It works fine", famous last words as all the transmission hard parts are toast when simple bushings and thrust washers would have been all that was needed.
I'll PM you with contact info. DF

I just now was able to move the flywheel and crank back and forth it seemed to have a good amount of play! What other reasons could cause this?

 

[dieselfitter]

Did you unbolt torque converter from the flywheel, push the converter back into the transmission and measure the clearance?

 

[lone wolf]

Dieselfitter the book says 20 thou max end play for the thrust bearing I just put a dial gauge on it and it now is at 30 thou! Cat don't make over sized thrust bearings I wonder who might? I wonder if I could still run it with the 30 thou?

 

[TRISTATEFORESTRYEQUIPMENT]

for what its worth i have a 3116 just taking up space that has 30k on it. i'd sell it to you for 1500.

 

[lone wolf]

for what its worth i have a 3116 just taking up space that has 30k on it. i'd sell it to you for 1500.

Any problems with it ? Pm your number to me .