Hey everyone, I’m rebuilding the turbo on my ’99 F250 and trying to get the compressor wheel off. It just keeps spinning with some resistance. I’m holding the shaft on the other side with a socket so it’s not spinning, but the wheel still won’t thread off. Not super experienced with turbos, so I’m wondering if I’m just missing something basic here.
They’re reverse threaded. Did you try turning it the opposite way? Just confirming before we look at other possibilities.
Leith said:
They’re reverse threaded. Did you try turning it the opposite way? Just confirming before we look at other possibilities.
Yep, tried both directions just to be sure. I can keep spinning it either way and it doesn’t tighten or loosen at all.
@Hayes
Does it feel like it’s spinning freely on the shaft, like it might be stripped?
Leith said:
@Hayes
Does it feel like it’s spinning freely on the shaft, like it might be stripped?
Kinda seems that way. There’s some resistance when I hold the shaft steady, but it still spins freely, just not smoothly.
@Hayes
Sounds stripped to me. You’ll probably need a new one. Check with KC TURBO, they should have what you need. If you’re unsure, you can always send them some pics or a video to confirm.
If it’s stripped, might be time for the grinder! Consider getting a KC balanced assembly. And make sure you can actually get your turbine housing bolts out…mine were so seized I only managed to save the compressor housing. Everything else had to be replaced.
I rebuilt my turbo on a ’94 7.3 IDI, so it might be similar. If the nut holding it is already off, it could just be a really tight fit. Try working it back and forth while pulling on it. Usually, fans like this aren’t threaded. What looks like spots for a wrench might actually just be ground down for balance.
@Sloane
I’ll give that a try, thanks for the tip!
From what you’re describing, sounds like it’s stripped. Try using two screwdrivers to pry on each side while you turn the turbine side. Might be easier with an extra set of hands.
Have you tried an air impact?
Merrick said:
Have you tried an air impact?
Yep, tried the impact, but it just barely spins it. Still no luck getting it off.
Honestly, sounds like you might have started the wrong way, and now the threads are probably stripped.
If the shaft and compressor wheel are stripped, you could go with a new Garrett balanced center section from Riff Raff. I just put one in myself for around $600. It’s a pretty straightforward swap if you follow some YouTube guides. At this point, you might just have to go for a full disassembly and replace the wheel and likely the shaft too.