Don't get too caught up trying to get this list of good and bad vins, that's going to take years maybe decades IF there's any correlation to VIN numbers. Best bet is for all 06-09 owners inspect crankshaft end play, sounds like a pretty simple process, if they have any further worries they can have the thrust washer inspected.

If this is as something as thrust washer installed backwards, it could have just been the 3rd shift assembler versus first shift, or the normal assembler was sick a few days and they had a replacement, who knows, and that would take a long time to figure out, I wouldn't ever rely on a list of "good" vins for something as random as this.

 

Another method:

-engine off
-push clutch to floor, release
-set dial indicator, pry crank forward and take reading. The crank will make a small audible clunk.

Just tried this now. I was able to pry crank forward with a plastic interior tool, didn't need to pull the belt.

Brand new proper build will move .004 to .010

.008 is perfect, up to .014 is good, max is .018.

 

FWIW just measured my '06 w/93K and it this is the result, which I presume is .008-.009? If we get a thread going to consolidate info I'll re-post there as well. Also the PO of the car did put a clutch bypass just a data point, not suggesting anything.

 

Good point! Also since it is so easy to measure, best for all to just measure. Not everyone will have the gauge. This can become something we do at tech meets and such since its so easy to do.

 

I checked my '03 just out of curiosity and got 0.007"
Didn't notice any clunk though and I did pry pretty hard, probably more than I should

 

No gauge no problem, stack 5 sheets of paper place them on something solid and flat you can tape the paper to, like a board. Each sheet is .098mm thick service limit is .45mm. Bottom out crank towards the rear of the engine, use a rib on the crank pulley, or the lip as a reference, if your reference clears the paper stack when you or a helper pries the crank forward, you have an issue.

 

Can you use a feeler gauge?

 

Sure, my point is if you can see it noticably with your eyes, there's probably something wrong, I've tried this months ago, the dial indicator can pick it up but your eyes can't if it's within spec.

 

That is not true, the movement can be seen by eye.

 

Just checked mine '07 with 78k miles. I will now be able to sleep at night. My thinking is that since some people lasted so long before their thrust bearings failed that maybe just checking the endplay of the crank shaft is not going to guarantee that the thrust washers were installed correctly so I pulled the pan. I was able to see the oil groove on the correct side on both thrust washers. I also got .007" endplay. Once the clutch pulls the crank shaft in, you can definitely notice a clunk when you pull it back out again.

I was able to take a picture of one of my thrust bearings/washers showing the groove


I also made a gif of my endplay measurement, it doesn't seem to repeat very many times I'm not sure if its the new forum, but you can even see the whole indicator move. If you view the source in a new tab it auto repeats forever like normal gifs.


Since the pan is out I think I might as well get one of the bolt in baffles and put it in before I put the pan back on.