Bearing chatter? SOLVED

[majicwrench]

Personally, I would keep the covers as intact as possible, they are there for a reason, that belt is somewhat fragile.
Keith

[AaronBerk]

Good golly what a day,
Spent a few minutes with the car early on, and then the rest of the day has been a "chaotic cluster" of errands and projects.

I'll tear into the Fiat tonight, and yes I did replace the tension bearing with one from IAP and checked it against the grenaded one that I removed. Another 100 miles and the old one would have froze up, seals were gone and when I removed it the bearing separated it self and droped it's balls all over the shop.

I honestly wanted to toss the timing cover in the trash, it was that much of a pain.
I'll double check with the owner and hopefully toss it off.

It'll lighten the load and gain a 1/4 hp

[BEEK]

not to start any arguments about the rear shield but fiats went from 67-78 without rear covers and were just fine. i understand the need and the reason for the extra covering. i would never run one without the main cover

[RRoller123]

Agreed. lose the inner shield, keep the outer one.

[majicwrench]

Why would they put an inner shield on after years of not having it??
I KNOW!!! cause thing were getting in and damaging the belt!!!!
I love belt shields...
Keith

[AaronBerk]

Inner shield on exhaust side was rubbing, it's been removed......

Problem solved

[So Cal Mark]

I've never seen anything get in the back side of the belt and damage it

[131]

The shields were more likely fitted to prevent knobs sticking their fingers where they shouldn't go and then suing because it was unsafe.

[majicwrench]

Covers are there to protect belt. Tis your car take em off if you wish. If they were worried bout people sticking fingers places they would have to cover the fan belts, and the cooling fan, and the exhaust manifold, and lock down the radiator cap....the list goes on and on.
' Keith

[So Cal Mark]

the rear covers are useless, and prevent easy inspection of the belt. The twin cam engine went for about 13 years without them before they were added. If you want to install them, I'm sure you can find lots of owners that will gladly donate them to you

[majicwrench]

If the rear covers are useless why would Fiat go to the bother of engineering, manufacturing, and installing them?? Seat belts are a bother too, till you really need them.
Ah, but to each their own. Glad you got the noise handled.
' Keith

[BEEK]

glad to hear it is solved