About Our Solid Alloy Thrust Washers
Our thrust washers are proudly made exclusively in the United States of America, and our customers all over the globe. They are the recommended replacement for the original troublesome plated and laminated steel versions that were installed in engines manufactured years ago, including Triumph automobile engines.
Modern alloy materials were not available years ago, so manufacturers used what was available. Our two-piece solid alloy thrust washer set is a modern direct replacement for the original style, and exhibits excellent friction and wear characteristics.
As with most cars from the same era, the engine crankshaft thrust washers installed in engines at the Triumph factory were constructed of steel. Since steel is not a favorable dynamic bearing surface, one side was plated with a thin copper alloy plating to help minimize friction and decrease wear when mated against the spinning steel crankshaft surface. Unfortunately, the plating eventually wears through to expose the bare steel. Rapid wear is the result.
If using the original style, it is very important to position the thrust washer with the copper alloy plated surface facing the crankshaft mating surface. Otherwise rapid wear will result because the bearing surface will be facing the wrong direction. This is not the case with our modern thrust washers, because since they consist of a solid alloy bearing material, both sides are suitable bearing surfaces. Engine crankshaft thrust washers have an important role to play because they prevent the crankshaft from moving in either axial direction, thus keeping it in line with all of the other critical moving engine parts.
The rear thrust washer has an even more important role to play, because whenever the operator of the automobile presses on the clutch pedal to shift gears, the chain of events that occurs forces the spinning crankshaft against the thrust washer, which creates an incredible amount of force and friction against thrust washer's bearing surface. This is mostly due to the force required to compress the very strong clutch spring which allows the clutch surface to release from the flywheel surface when shifting gears.
Unfortunately, after several years of driving, the original style thrust washer's thin copper alloy surface will eventually wear through to bare steel. This unsuitable bare steel thrust washer surface wearing against the spinning crankshaft surface results in rapid wear which occurs silently while the operator has no idea it is happening inside the engine. Within a short period of time, the thrust washer wears to the point that it is able to fall out of its nesting place and ends up at the bottom of the oil pan. With the absence of the thrust washer, the crankshaft begins rapidly wearing into the side of the main bearing journal end cap, and then continues to wear into the side of the engine block. By the time the operator finally hears the flywheel coming in contact with the starter gear, extensive engine damage has already occurred.
This is why we strongly urge automobile owners to forgo using old style thrust washers, and make the switch to our solid alloy version.
Important note: No matter what type of thrust washer you have installed in your car's engine, it is imperative that you make engine crankshaft end-float checks a regular maintenance routine. Driving style and overall engine condition will greatly affect the longevity of your crankshaft thrust washers.
Our thrust washers are proudly made exclusively in the United States of America, and our customers all over the globe. They are the recommended replacement for the original troublesome plated and laminated steel versions that were installed in engines manufactured years ago, including Triumph automobile engines.
Modern alloy materials were not available years ago, so manufacturers used what was available. Our two-piece solid alloy thrust washer set is a modern direct replacement for the original style, and exhibits excellent friction and wear characteristics.
As with most cars from the same era, the engine crankshaft thrust washers installed in engines at the Triumph factory were constructed of steel. Since steel is not a favorable dynamic bearing surface, one side was plated with a thin copper alloy plating to help minimize friction and decrease wear when mated against the spinning steel crankshaft surface. Unfortunately, the plating eventually wears through to expose the bare steel. Rapid wear is the result.
If using the original style, it is very important to position the thrust washer with the copper alloy plated surface facing the crankshaft mating surface. Otherwise rapid wear will result because the bearing surface will be facing the wrong direction. This is not the case with our modern thrust washers, because since they consist of a solid alloy bearing material, both sides are suitable bearing surfaces. Engine crankshaft thrust washers have an important role to play because they prevent the crankshaft from moving in either axial direction, thus keeping it in line with all of the other critical moving engine parts.
The rear thrust washer has an even more important role to play, because whenever the operator of the automobile presses on the clutch pedal to shift gears, the chain of events that occurs forces the spinning crankshaft against the thrust washer, which creates an incredible amount of force and friction against thrust washer's bearing surface. This is mostly due to the force required to compress the very strong clutch spring which allows the clutch surface to release from the flywheel surface when shifting gears.
Unfortunately, after several years of driving, the original style thrust washer's thin copper alloy surface will eventually wear through to bare steel. This unsuitable bare steel thrust washer surface wearing against the spinning crankshaft surface results in rapid wear which occurs silently while the operator has no idea it is happening inside the engine. Within a short period of time, the thrust washer wears to the point that it is able to fall out of its nesting place and ends up at the bottom of the oil pan. With the absence of the thrust washer, the crankshaft begins rapidly wearing into the side of the main bearing journal end cap, and then continues to wear into the side of the engine block. By the time the operator finally hears the flywheel coming in contact with the starter gear, extensive engine damage has already occurred.
This is why we strongly urge automobile owners to forgo using old style thrust washers, and make the switch to our solid alloy version.
Important note: No matter what type of thrust washer you have installed in your car's engine, it is imperative that you make engine crankshaft end-float checks a regular maintenance routine. Driving style and overall engine condition will greatly affect the longevity of your crankshaft thrust washers.
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