360° Thrust Bearing Modification, Main bearing, 06F Block

[Kevin C]

A quick post showing the mods I used to add a 360° thrust bearing to the 06F block.

While this does not seem to be a common issue I have read of occasional failed thrust bearing, and since I'm doing a full build now was the time to do it. The idea is to future proof my build so if I change to a stiffer clutch I'm wont end up with a new problem. The total cost of the mod was $100 to have the cap machined and about $20 for the extra bearing.

The bearing is only added on one side since only one side sees a load when you press on the clutch.

The dimensions I used worked perfectly (see 2D of mods). If you are getting this done PM me and I will send you a DXF of the 2D. That makes it easy for a machine shop to generate a tool path.

To modify the bearing I used a hand file to reduce each end of the thrust bearing by 3mm and cut a small chamfer in the leading edges. With a bit of cleanup the thrust bearing fits the modded housing perfectly. The ends were then polished with 1200 grit paper. In a perfect world I would have done the coatings after the modifications. The parts will work fine either way since the bearing material on the steel backing is actually quite thick.

Short story is I now have a 360° Thrust bearing on my 06F block.

Also, some have considered using the 360° bearing from a 1.8T. The 1.8T bearings are about .020" thinner and the block is wider face to face on the thrust surfaces. You would either end up with one bearing not doing anything or a lot of end play. The other option is use the 1.8T bearing in the cap and the 2.0t in the block. That could cause a problem since the thinner bearing is used to locate the thicker bearing and there is now a step at the parting line. I found a post where this was done but I think they missed the thickness difference and only one thrust bearing was working. Same thing with putting aftermarket caps on the 06F block, the thrust surfaces are different from a 1.8T to the 2.0T. It's possible that I missed something but everything I looked at says that you need to accommodate for the change in thickness.


CAP_MOD.JPG
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[aluthman]

Nice work, way to think outside the box.

[Kevin C]

Nice work, way to think outside the box.

Thanks, it took me a few tries to get to this. That included buying sample bearings for a variety of VAG motors to see what made sense. I figured it would be nice to share and save some leg if someone else wants to do the same thing.

Better screen shot of CAD
Bearingmod2.JPG

[Okedokey]

Thanks, it took me a few tries to get to this. That included buying sample bearings for a variety of VAG motors to see what made sense. I figured it would be nice to share and save some leg if someone else wants to do the same thing.

Better screen shot of CAD
Bearingmod2.JPG

pro

[Kevin C]

For completeness:

US site with info on the same issue:

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index....366981/page-3



Swedish sight that shows a similar version of what I did but using the 1.8T bearing ( the info is about halfway down). No mention of the different bearing thickness on the 1.8T and what or if they accounted for it.

https://rejsa.nu/forum/viewtopic.php...r=asc&start=21