Rebuilding a T3 Write-up
#1
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Rebuilding a T3 turbo
Tools needed:
Vice
10mm wrench
13mm wrench
3/8” star pattern socket
Pliers
Allen wrench set
Dentists Pics
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild000.jpg)
Disessembled turbo
Compressor Housing
Backing Plate
Compressor Wheel
Dynamic Seal
Bearing Housing (CHRA)
Turbine Shield
Turbine & Shaft
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild001.jpg)
Bearings are held in by 4 clips. One per side.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild002.jpg)
Remove the first clip and the bearing can fall out. (this is the hardest part of the rebuild)
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild003.jpg)
Remove the bottom clip and repeat on the reverse side.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild004.jpg)
Reinstall the new clips and bearings. Remove and install the backing plate gasket.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild005.jpg)
Replace the thrust bearing. This is a 360* bearing, it's held down by three bolts.*The thrust spacer is installed behind it.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild006.jpg)
The clip around the turbine shaft is the rear seal.*This is what failed on mine.*
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild007.jpg)
Replaced seal.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild008.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine shield, compressor seal (3 different types, I skipped documenting this step), and backing plate (4 10mm bolts).
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild009.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild010.jpg)
Put the turbine in a vice and reinstall the compressor wheel.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild011.jpg)
Use something with two handles so you apply equal force to the shaft.*Otherwise you might bend it.*I used a tapping handle with a socket drive for a screwdriver.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild012.jpg)
Remove and replace the compressor housing gasket.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild013.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine housing (6 13mm bolts), compressor housing (6 13mm bolts), and wastgate.*done!
Tools needed:
Vice
10mm wrench
13mm wrench
3/8” star pattern socket
Pliers
Allen wrench set
Dentists Pics
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild000.jpg)
Disessembled turbo
Compressor Housing
Backing Plate
Compressor Wheel
Dynamic Seal
Bearing Housing (CHRA)
Turbine Shield
Turbine & Shaft
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild001.jpg)
Bearings are held in by 4 clips. One per side.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild002.jpg)
Remove the first clip and the bearing can fall out. (this is the hardest part of the rebuild)
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild003.jpg)
Remove the bottom clip and repeat on the reverse side.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild004.jpg)
Reinstall the new clips and bearings. Remove and install the backing plate gasket.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild005.jpg)
Replace the thrust bearing. This is a 360* bearing, it's held down by three bolts.*The thrust spacer is installed behind it.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild006.jpg)
The clip around the turbine shaft is the rear seal.*This is what failed on mine.*
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild007.jpg)
Replaced seal.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild008.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine shield, compressor seal (3 different types, I skipped documenting this step), and backing plate (4 10mm bolts).
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild009.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild010.jpg)
Put the turbine in a vice and reinstall the compressor wheel.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild011.jpg)
Use something with two handles so you apply equal force to the shaft.*Otherwise you might bend it.*I used a tapping handle with a socket drive for a screwdriver.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild012.jpg)
Remove and replace the compressor housing gasket.
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild013.jpg)
Reinstall the turbine housing (6 13mm bolts), compressor housing (6 13mm bolts), and wastgate.*done!
![](http://www.rev2red.com/images/cars/turborebuild014.jpg)
Last edited by Braineack; 11-27-2006 at 09:30 AM.
#9
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The oil drain is a 1/2" NPT to 5/8" (-10AN) Slip on. The feed is a 90* 1/8" to 1/4" (-4AN), the restrictor is a (.060) 1/8" to 1/8" male to female.
Last edited by Braineack; 09-17-2006 at 10:23 PM.
#11
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Shaft play is caused by the bearings wearing out over time. When a bearing is worn, shaft play, a side to side wiggling motion of the shaft occurs. So I would assume they don't
Last edited by Braineack; 09-18-2006 at 11:37 AM.
#12
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Similar. However the T3 itself has different compressor seals which I didn't document for the same reason. I have a 360* thrust bearing which also changes the procedure (uses bolts to hold in down instead of a star ring spring). But basically: replace the bearings, replace the compressor and turbine seals, replace the gaskets
#16
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mission Sucessful. Everything reinstalled and cranked-up in 35mins. No more happy trails of blue smoke.
Holding strong at 10psi
Holding strong at 10psi
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
Last edited by Braineack; 09-18-2006 at 01:33 PM.
#18
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
FWIW I have switched comp wheels and housings and never had a problem both on the T3 (bought a T3 for ~60, rebuilt it for another ~50 and then bought a .60 wheel and housing for another ~50).
Last edited by Jefe; 09-18-2006 at 09:11 PM.