Crank side of rod bearing question

[Luni]

I just pulled my piston off today. I fragged it, stator seal leaked, air made me run lean, boom.

Anyway, noticed after I pulled the circlips off and removed the piston my rod has a small amount of play on the crankshaft itself. Is it supposed to be totally solid, or is a small amount of play acceptable?

 

[scotj77]

you can have a small amount of left to right play. but no up and down play

 

[blasterfreek30]

right.. up and down play is no good at all

 

[sicivicdude]

You should have less than .026" side to side play and NO up and down. If the crank is questionable, replace it.

Scotj77 has some experience with trying to re-use questionable parts I believe...

 

[Luni]

Well, Im sure its ok. The crank is actually a newer crank and its a wiesco.

A couple years ago around this time, when the quad belonged to my GFs dad, I was riding it and it siezed up, welding the rod to the crank. So the crank was replaced and the rod was replaced. You can see WIESCO on the crank so I know its not a stock unit. So, I figure its ok. I dont have any up/down play, just a small amount of side/side play.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[sicivicdude]

Use a feeler gauge to check the side to side play to make sure it's under the recommended specification. (.026") and clean it thoroughly to make sure you don't have any other problems.

Also, do a visual check. Beside the big end of the rod there are two bronze washers. Look at them and make sure they're not blackened or deformed.

 

[Luni]

K. Will do. Thx siccivic (whats your first name?)

 

[Luni]

Looks like Im within spec. Everything down there looks good.

 

[sicivicdude]

Pour some mixed fuel down into the lower end. You're trying to flush the small aluminum particles out of all of the hiding spaces and make sure you don't have any cracks in the cases. If gasoline leaks out of the bottom end, a piece of piston got between the crank and case and broke the case out.

Use a screwdriver to shove clean rags down into the bottom of the bottom end to wipe away any small aluminum particles you may have flushed out. Once your rag comes out clean, you're probably ready to go.

 

[Luni]

K, will do. Youve been a great help.

 

[sicivicdude]

Before you try and run it, roll the crank over to make sure none of the bearings are making any ungainly noises. Small aluminum parts can imbed in the races of the saddle bearings and can make them very noisy and possible failure prone.

If you have angry growling noises coming from the bearings (once you've cleaned them out with premix and dropped some 2 stroke oil down the oiling holes, you may want to start planning the engine tear-down.

If premix gasoline leaks out of the bottom end (through rather) you will need to pull the cases apart now rather than later...