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I have a 95 with 71k, while replacing the water pump I decided to change the seals in the timing cover along with a cap and rotor. Inspecting the opti its shaft turns smoothly with no in and out play. There is side to side play. It has the Mitsubishi sensor in it so if I can replace the bearing that would be great.
Yes I have done several. It has been a while though. Let me dig through my notes and see if I can find the part numbers again. It was a b!tch to find the first time so I took notes, now if only I made a note on where my notes were...
EDIT:
That didn't take as long as I thought it would. I guess I did a pretty good job.
If you have had yours apart you can see you need to remove the sensor, but you need to scribe a line on the shaft and wheel to make sure they go back together correctly or the timing will be off. Be careful when you press out the shaft from the old bearing. I had one fall apart from being brittle.
Last edited by Kubs; Sep 19, 2017 at 08:56 AM.
Reason: added part number
If my memory is correct, once you remove the optical sensor and the reluctor wheel, there is a ring pressed on the shaft that sandwiches the bearing up against the back housing. This is that ring you have to mark and then press it out/off the shaft before you can get the bearing. And then the bearing presses off the opposite direction (I forget which way is which though, sorry). If I had one in front of me Im sure it would come back to me. Pictures might help if you could snap a few.
The ring holding down the wheel is what I am curious about. I don't want to damage the sensor wheel removing the ring. Under the sensor wheel it looks like there is a retaining ring that is screwed into the base plate, assuming for the bearing.
I dont recall there being a ring on top of the reluctor wheel. That should be the hub the wheel is resting on (see image below from google).
The wheel should lift right off after you unbolt the sensor. I think you have to press the shaft down to get that hub off, then you can unbolt the retainer holding the bearing on. Again, be sure to scribe where that shaft and hub align so you can put the reluctor wheel back on in the same location.
I thought the hub may have been a ring that holds down the reluctor. Thanks for the clearification. The bearing is on its way, I'll let you know how it turns out.
I wish I could tell you more, but I did see a U tube video where an Opti was rebuilt, including replacement of the bearing; seemed simple enough; but don't they always ?
I thought the hub may have been a ring that holds down the reluctor. Thanks for the clearification. The bearing is on its way, I'll let you know how it turns out.
Gary
Please shoot some pics of pressing the shaft out of the hub. I have an original at home I just replaced that still worked, but the bearing was toast. I'd love to rebuild it and have a known-good backup.
No joy The bearing arrived today and it has a single step in it. The one I need has two steps. I will try a local bearing shop next week. Here's a pic.
No joy The bearing arrived today and it has a single step in it. The one I need has two steps. I will try a local bearing shop next week. Here's a pic.
Gary
I am pretty sure you dont need the double step. The single step will center it in the back housing. The other step was to go inside the retainer, but this one will work as is.
I went and double checked, it will work as you say. I just have to watch when pressing the reluctor ring/rotor mounting plate into the bearing for the correct depth.
Here's a few pics of replacing the bearing in the opti. I had to make some tools for the project. Thanks to KUBs for the bearing info.
Here's my base
This is the shaft seperated from the rotor and base. I made a holding platform for the base from 3/4" plywood for the press. [B]Before[B] removing the shaft from the rotor you must scribe it so it goes back in the same exact spot. This is your timing.
The rotor then is removed. The bearing must be removed from the rotor. I made a tool from some steel I hade laying around.
Thanks for the great input and tutorial! I just ordered my bearing and will be rebuilding my stock Opti. Winter's coming fast. Need to garage projects. Nothing wrong with having a backup.
Anybody replace the bearing in their opti?
The bearing arrived today and it has a single step in it. The one I need has two steps. I will try a local bearing shop next week. Here's a pic.
