Turbocharger Noise and Play

2006 BRM 174k Miles

Car has tons of power and gets great mpg but this squealing noise is annoying as hell.

I get a squealing noise from the turbocharger when the turbo spins up on acceleration, cruise, and on deceleration. I couple of weeks ago i took the intake pipe and exhaust pipe off the turbocharger and check for radial play. It was solid but i did notice the turbo had horizontal play.

How much is normal? i would say it has 1mm of play in and out.

https://i.imgur.com/lbTF2FV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PIKIRdp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lCpf7o5.jpg

A little side to side play is acceptable (usually less than 0.5mm) but you should not feel any in and out play. If you have 1mm of in and out play, then your thrust bearing is shot. Can you feel any metal on metal contact when you push or pull the compressor wheel and spin it?

1sloVR4 said:

A little side to side play is acceptable (usually less than 0.5mm) but you should not feel any in and out play. If you have 1mm of in and out play, then your thrust bearing is shot. Can you feel any metal on metal contact when you push or pull the compressor wheel and spin it?

Click to expand...

Let me be alittle more clear

horizontal play i'm talking about is is if you're standing in front of the engine bay facing the motor. the turbo shaft moves side to side (fender to fender) about .5mm - 1mm.

That's referred to as axial play, the other way is radial play.
1mm axial play is quite a lot.