my daughters car, driven across state regularly. has 118,000 on the clock. started rapping deep in the engine but only at lower rpm's (stops just before normal shift points). i lent her my extra truck while i'm checking it out. disassembled to check oil pump (seems good) and was going to survey rod and main bearings but discovered that the big ends of both balancer shafts below the crank have very noticable play and may very well be the source of all the noise. anyone have any experience with this assembly? manual says DO NOT open, send to repair facility. thanks for any help

 

Excessive gear backlash can cause knocking similar to a rod knock.

The shafts are shimmed to obtain the correct gear backlash.

The Toyota manual has the procedure for checking backlash but it is complicated and requires a dial indicator or similar to measure it.

If your up to the task send a private message with email address for the procedure info.

It is not uncommon for owners to take off or not reinstall during rebuild the balance shafts. Not all 5SFE engines have them, depends on the model of car.

If you go this route you need to plug up the oil feed holes.

A search at the Toyotanation website on removing the balance shafts should produce lots of good info.

 

read the post it great to see that posts and that's an good job guys.

 

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