A little history: Back about 1999 or 2000 there was a thread started about TBF (thrust bearing failure). Greg Nichols put it on his site: http://www.nichols.nu/tip598.htm At the time I was assisting several automatic owners with maintenance and perfecting the Laser wheel alignment system. The possibility of TBF scared us into the experiments that developed into the "Loctite Fix" that is at the end of tip598. Read the tip.

If you own a 1985 or later automatic, I HIGHLY recommend the "Loctite Fix". I have never heard of TBF on a car that had the "Loctite Fix" applied. I personally know of two that have had TBF without the "Loctite Fix" applied. I am sure there are others.

Tony has two excellent sections on his web site with pictures.

Pinch bolt check:

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/pinch.htm

Here is an updated version of the Loctite Fix that I wrote from Greg's site:

Drop the exhaust at the manifolds. Be careful of the O2 sensor cable. Hold the exhaust up with a jackstand.

Remove the bell housing bottom cover.

Loosen The hub clamping screw and watch for hub movement.

(http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/pinch.htm)

Check thrust bearing end play

(http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/cranksha.htm)

If your end play is more than .016", then you are experiencing "Thrust Bearing Failure".

If you are installing a TT, clean the shaft and hub splines with Loctite primer before assembly. Tighten the forward hub pinch bolt last.

Pour Loctite 290 (penetrating formula) into the three slots in the hub. It doesn't matter if hot or cold or the position of the crankshaft.

Install a new bolt P/N 931.421.240.00. using Loctite 242 before assembly, torque to 65 ft.lb. The standard torque is 59 ft.lb. I doubt that the Loctite on the bolt is necessary, but it can't hurt.

Paint the shaft splines white where it enters the hub for future verification.

Reassemble cover and exhaust.

Let the car sit for 24 hours. Loctite says that a full cure takes 24 hours. We did have one slip, but after an immediate 200 mile trip.

Look through the hole in the bottom of the bell housing every oil change to check for hub migration.

The pinch bolt is 10 mm with an 8 mm "Allen" head. Hardness is 12.9. Part number is 931,421,240,00.

The only known "problem" with the Loctite Fix" is it works too good. If you have to disassemble the hub, you need plenty of heat to get it loose. Loctite also has a solvent.

Go to TBF MISCELLANIOUS RAMBLINGS for more information.