Good turbo gone bad?

[bendog]

So the other day I was installing my cat delete test pipe and decided to start the truck with the cat removed. It sounded like the turbo impeller was rubbing on the housing, so today I removed the intake at the turbo and gave the impeller a wiggle. It moved at least a sixteenth of an inch up and down. How much should it move? It looked like it had been hitting the housing and ground the shape of the housing into the edges of the impeller blades, are the edges of the blades smoothly radiused or "S" shaped? Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[RoyBoy]

If it really is moving 1/16", that's ALOT of movement. And if it is scraping on the housing, yes, it is shot.

 

[bendog]

Yes it is at least a sixteenth of an inch of movement. I couldnt really feel too well if it was scraping the housing, it was still on the engine, But the sound and the shape of the blades outside edges made me believe it was. I am curious what wonderful things have been ciculating thru the combustion chambers.

 

[bushpilot]

whats the end play like (side to side)...

 

[bendog]

Ill check and get back to you.

 

[bendog]

Took it to ford, they said the unison ring was sticking (overboost) so they swapped out the turbo. The tech said he didnt hear anything that sounded like what I described. He didnt check the compressor blades, but its a new turbo so I guess it doesnt matter anymore.Thanks for the help.