Needle Bearing of Balance Shaft

[Kmort]

I've finally located a mysterious rattle noise from my 4.3L V6 Mercrusiser. The bolt from the gear ahead of the needle bearing had backed out into the timing chain cover. After further checking I found the needle bearing a little out of wack and only about 8 bearings laying on bottom.

Now the question is... has anyone had this issue before? AND, what does anyone know about the cause of it?

I'm trying to decide what my next move should be.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Needle Bearing of Balance Shaft

Chalk it up to "stuff just happens". You may be interested to know that GM has service bulletins on Balance Shaft issues. None of them serious but some of them annoyances. Starting in 1992 some of the balance shaft engines developed what can best be described as what some might describe as light throttle pre-ignition. What actually occurs is the clearances in the balance shaft needle bearings is a little wide. I've personally owned many of these vehicles and although only a couple of them made the noise, they all went well over 100,000 miles with no issue. Your situation is unusual in that things came apart. However, it there is no damage, replace the disassembled stuff with new stuff and be on your way.