Pickuprat

Hi, ive got to the bottom of it! The intermediate shaft runs on shells. One at each end. The belt end or sprocket end has an diagnal force on it due to the timing belt tension. This force has worn the shell into an elliptical shape causing the shaft to only exhibit wear in one direction which is why it's felt in the opposite direction. The shell needs to be replaced before it wears enough for the inner lip of the oil seal to gap or the shell breaks up or as it wears, the tension on the timing belt is taken up by the tensioner but putting the timing out marginally between the crank sprocket and the diesel pump. Does any body know if the shells are still availible or part numbers? If the shaft can be removed with the engine just lowered enough for it to pass by the chassis? Does the shaft just slide out? How are the shells replaced? It's looking a bit of a nightmare! Thanks for you help and any more input would be much apreciated. Pics are attached. Regards

Hi, thanks for that diagram and yes it does help. Strange you should ask whether I felt it before or after changing the seal. I felt no play at all before, only once I had changed it. Also, I only changed the seal as I thought I may as well while I'm down there. It was not leaking. The new seal is an original too. The outer seal on the oil seal is not in full contact all the way around the shaft. It's gapping in the same place as the diagonal movement. Why did you ask? Regards

Hi, sorry for the lack of info. Yes it is a 1998 1.9d. The intermediate sprocket is just in front of the crank shaft sprocket run on the timing belt. It seems odd that there's only up/down movement in one direction on the shaft. unless a bearing/shaft housing is only worn in one place which is the same force direction the timing belt places on the sprocket. The outer ring on the new oil seal seems not to be a snug fit on the shaft and is gapping. I will take pics when I'm with the van next. The ones included are from the book for example. Regards

Hi, would any knowledgeable person be able to help? I have a soda pickup 1997 mk2 . I'm halfway through a timing belt change and have decided to fit new hydraulic lifters. I've changed the intermediate shaft oil seal and ring and have noticed some up and down movement on the shaft. This movement is actually only felt in one diagnal direction (south east to north west and back) and not in every direction as you would expect with a worn bearing. What does this shaft do? What bearings does it have? Is this movement normal? Can the shaft be changed with the engine in the van if neaded? Also I have had it suggested that I should soak the lifters over night before fitting them. Is this necessary? Thanks for reading this topic. Any help would be very much apprecia ted.