tweakit idler bearing failure
02-08-12 | 05:36 PM
#26
Here is a bit of information most don't really know about bearings
Reference the SKF bearing design manual.
This Peticular bearing as well as the alternator bearings spin at higher rates than a typical commercial off the shelf unit. Consequently, the lubrication in the sealed assembly is specialized and is a unique digit in the part number. This is one of the reasons it is hard to match the OEM unit.
So matching the number may not be the correct solution.
Down load the Timken or SKF manuals and select from there.
Reference the SKF bearing design manual.
This Peticular bearing as well as the alternator bearings spin at higher rates than a typical commercial off the shelf unit. Consequently, the lubrication in the sealed assembly is specialized and is a unique digit in the part number. This is one of the reasons it is hard to match the OEM unit.
So matching the number may not be the correct solution.
Down load the Timken or SKF manuals and select from there.
02-09-12 | 11:11 AM
#27
Thought i posted over here too... oh well
http://*************.com/rotary_foru...ead.php?t=7674
rotary car club.com/rotary_forum/showthread.php?t=7674 < -------put in search with spaces removed from the first 3 words, stupid forum rivalry
The bearing they were using in the first runs was underated from the manufacture not their fault. The new one was rated correctly but i still had 3 failures before i just pulled it off. I keep looking for a replacment or even send it off to be remachined for a new bearing but i havent driven the car enough to worry about it as of late.
z
http://*************.com/rotary_foru...ead.php?t=7674
rotary car club.com/rotary_forum/showthread.php?t=7674 < -------put in search with spaces removed from the first 3 words, stupid forum rivalry
The bearing they were using in the first runs was underated from the manufacture not their fault. The new one was rated correctly but i still had 3 failures before i just pulled it off. I keep looking for a replacment or even send it off to be remachined for a new bearing but i havent driven the car enough to worry about it as of late.
z
02-10-12 | 01:24 AM
#28
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You would think the seller would notify the people that bought it about the probility of failure. I had no signs of anything wrong, the bearing just froze and the car died.
02-10-12 | 02:19 AM
#29
02-17-12 | 04:05 PM
#30
Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: UK
my first tweakit pulley bearing was installed wonky and the wheel wobbled just like the one in banzai-racing video, but sent it back and got a replacement that was absolutely fine. Have done 8000 miles on it and it is still fine. However, bought a replacement aircon tensioner pulley from another manufacturer last year that lasted only an hour before the bearing blew apart, shredding the belt as the wheel seized. The replacement unit had a very over-specced bearing in it, and has been fine since. So cheap bearings are a bit of a liability IMHO!
DM motorsport in the UK are also making an idler pulley for the FD similar to the tweakit / pineapple one.
http://www.dm-motorsport.co.uk/bille...ulley-33-c.asp
DM motorsport in the UK are also making an idler pulley for the FD similar to the tweakit / pineapple one.
http://www.dm-motorsport.co.uk/bille...ulley-33-c.asp
Last edited by AshC; 02-17-12 at 04:14 PM. Reason: sp
02-17-12 | 07:00 PM
#31
I had the same issue with my kit. TWICE.. Did get it replaced free both times and great customer service was helpful.. But i gave up and gave mine away.
Got stranded one good time and had to get towed home and was like poo. never do that again..
Got stranded one good time and had to get towed home and was like poo. never do that again..
02-18-12 | 09:01 AM
#32
The bearing that came with the tweakit idler pulley lasted a whole 160 miles. I installed the idler kit and drove from SF to Thunderhill. My car died right when I got to Thunderhill raceway. Car started but made a noise like the belts were loose then followed by a ton of smoke. The bearing that comes with the kit had completely frozen up. I bought the kit a few years ago. I am not blaming the idler kit but just letting people know of the bearing failure. For some strange reason I brought along my old ebay/greddy pulley kit and belt and was able to install it onto my car and enjoy the track day. I guess I am psychic or paranoid.
Does anyone know a replacement for the bearing that is a better quality? I have not heard anyone having this problem but I rather use a better bearing if possible. The greddy pulley kit did not show any signs of slipping and the water temps were in the about 93C, it was a cool day.
And again I am not blaming the person that made kit but just informing people of the bearing failure. And if anyone wants to know I installed it according to the instructions. I even ordered the wrong belt since the instructions were wrong.
I'll post pics tomorrow.
Does anyone know a replacement for the bearing that is a better quality? I have not heard anyone having this problem but I rather use a better bearing if possible. The greddy pulley kit did not show any signs of slipping and the water temps were in the about 93C, it was a cool day.
And again I am not blaming the person that made kit but just informing people of the bearing failure. And if anyone wants to know I installed it according to the instructions. I even ordered the wrong belt since the instructions were wrong.
I'll post pics tomorrow.
Send me your address and I will send you out a new pulley.
Thanks,
Dan
02-23-12 | 08:05 PM
#34
man, lucky i never got that that kit when i could.. id love to get the pine apple racing one but man pretty expensive. water temps stay pretty good tho and i know i have some slippage 83c-85c/ 86c-87c MAX
02-24-12 | 01:13 PM
#35
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 13
From: reno nevada
Ive never had any over heating issues but after reading one of howard colemans? Posts on overtightrning the belts leading to stationary gear bearing failure ( mine was bad on rebuild) Im looking into making or buying one.
02-25-12 | 08:08 AM
#36
Thanks for info. I got one of these a couple years ago and have not had any problems to date. I believe I got the newer run. For those of you interested in the pineapple kit it will NOT work with most single turbo kits and larger framed turbos as the compressor housing interferes with the pulley bracket position. I had to return mine to Pineapple. Both are of high quality. G
03-17-12 | 09:45 AM
#37
While re-assembling my engine I noticed the same wobble issue as Banzai posted above, hopefully I can get a hold of these guys to get a replacement. Great concept, just a few problems that may have been out of their control.
03-17-12 | 04:34 PM
#38
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,834
Likes: 318
From: Indiana
In my opinion, it is just a poorly designed pulley. If there were a machined lip for the bearing to press up against it would ensure a straight installation. The Pineapple parts uses a snap ring to accomplish the task.
Last edited by Banzai-Racing; 03-17-12 at 04:37 PM.
07-19-12 | 01:46 AM
#39
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I take back the great customer comment. I did not get the pulley, Dan does not respond to pm. I'm just going to stick with the underdrive pulley, at least it wont leave me stranded. Belts are cheap but a two from two hours away is not.
07-19-12 | 11:32 AM
#40
-Dan
03-04-13 | 01:39 AM
#41
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,619
Likes: 120
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I had my Tweakit pulley on for a few years, I think it was anyway, I don't remember exactly when I put it on but I know it has been a while. It finally failed on me last night. On a fun drive through the mountains, about 1.5 hours from home and 45 minutes from any civilization, I hear a weird noise and my idiot lights come on. I thought I broke the belt or something because I'd had problems before with it slipping off (I had a spacer on the alt pulley and pushed it out too far) but I fixed that before. I got to a stop and found this...
The pulley popped off completely and apparently almost hit my buddy behind me while it was bouncing down the road. I left the car and he drove me to the nearest town 23 miles away, got a 3 rib belt that just barely worked but I got it home.
The pulley popped off completely and apparently almost hit my buddy behind me while it was bouncing down the road. I left the car and he drove me to the nearest town 23 miles away, got a 3 rib belt that just barely worked but I got it home.
03-04-13 | 11:01 AM
#42
^^^^
Same thing happened to me on track last year, causing a stoppage (and near accident, as overheating/flowing coolant got sprayed on my rear tire. I couldn't directly correlate it, but my motor/turbos failed the next day after I replaced the belt to bypass the pulley to finish the event.
Same thing happened to me on track last year, causing a stoppage (and near accident, as overheating/flowing coolant got sprayed on my rear tire. I couldn't directly correlate it, but my motor/turbos failed the next day after I replaced the belt to bypass the pulley to finish the event.
03-04-13 | 01:34 PM
#43
All out Track Freak!
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From: Charlottesville VA 22901
^^^^
Same thing happened to me on track last year, causing a stoppage (and near accident, as overheating/flowing coolant got sprayed on my rear tire. I couldn't directly correlate it, but my motor/turbos failed the next day after I replaced the belt to bypass the pulley to finish the event.
"The Save" PCA Zone 2 2012 - YouTube
Same thing happened to me on track last year, causing a stoppage (and near accident, as overheating/flowing coolant got sprayed on my rear tire. I couldn't directly correlate it, but my motor/turbos failed the next day after I replaced the belt to bypass the pulley to finish the event.
"The Save" PCA Zone 2 2012 - YouTube
I don't think either us will forget that weekend. Once again though that was a badass save
I received a pulley years ago and didn't like the design so I returned it.
Bottom line: keep it simple, use the stock under drive, a good belt and don't over tighten it and you won't have any problems. With a good cooling setup the stock water pump is also fine.
If it's not broken don't fix and this is especially true if the fix includes additional system/parts that can fail.
03-05-13 | 10:41 AM
#46
You wouldn't happen to still have that bearing p/n would you? Mine isn't broken yet, but it does feel a bit rough... I'd rather replace it now, rather than wait and have it break on me.
03-05-13 | 11:35 PM
#49
I have had my bearing fail twice already... The major issue now is that the center of the pulley has become a bit larger due to the wobble of the bearing. I haven't been able to get a hold of Tweakit so I took the setup to a machine shop I use to come up with a solution.
I am probably going to stay without it as it has become a pain in the ***...
FYI... I have an underdrive main pulley and alternator pulley. I found a 280K5 belt that fits and is 5 rib..... Most autoparts I called only carry 4 rib belts and it just bothers me that it wasn't the correct amount of ribs.....hope the belt size helps others...
I am probably going to stay without it as it has become a pain in the ***...
FYI... I have an underdrive main pulley and alternator pulley. I found a 280K5 belt that fits and is 5 rib..... Most autoparts I called only carry 4 rib belts and it just bothers me that it wasn't the correct amount of ribs.....hope the belt size helps others...