Noisy Bearing - Supercharged

[yaz4real]

1999 Buick Park Avenue Ultra Supercharged

The bearing on the pulley driven by the belt is very noisy. Can the bearing be replaced instead of changing out the entire air unit?

[BNaylor]

You should have an Eaton M90 Gen3 blower (supercharger) and yes the snout bearings are replaceable without having to replace the complete unit. Also, a good idea to replace the snout seal and the coupler. Also, just to be clear are you sure it is not a noisy idler or tensioner pulley? Companies like ZZPerformance sell Eaton supercharger parts.

[yaz4real]

I have isolated the marbled noise coming from the snout on the Eaton.

I certainly appreciate your quick response and lead to where parts can be obtained. It is amazing to see instructions available on websites to complete this project in the garage.

Only concern is whether my standard puller kit will complete one of the steps in removing the inner bearing. All other tools seem to be standard.

I understand a new coupler makes sense to purchase.

Bearings and seal $30
Coupler $30
SC Oil $15

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by yaz4real

I have isolated the marbled noise coming from the snout on the Eaton.

This sounds more like the coupler than a bearing. Remove the drive belt and rock the pulley back & forth to see if it has any play.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

This sounds more like the coupler than a bearing. Remove the drive belt and rock the pulley back & forth to see if it has any play.

I agree Bo. A rattling sound is typically the coupler. Same noise I had a few years back in my L67 GTP. I replaced it with the improved one from ZZP. However, since the snout has to be removed I installed new snout bearings and a seal. I had an auto machine shop press out and install the bearings. Cost around $40 for labor.

To the OP, you will need s special SC pulley puller. A standard type will not work. I use a Pulley Boys brand which I purchased new. May come in handy later.

Also, on the SC oil make sure it is GM Supercharger Oil only. Part number 12345982. Two bottles which are 4 ounces each.

[HotZ28]

Thanks Bob for the additional info. BTW, I just happen to have the info on the "pulley puller" at my finger-tips. Click Here

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Thanks Bob for the additional info. BTW, I just happen to have the info on the "pulley puller" at my finger-tips. Click Here

And thank you kind sir.

[yaz4real]

As follow-up to the above, the Eaton M90 blower ( supercharger ), is spun by its own belt. Besides the pully on the snout of the M90 are two idler pullies located to the left of the ignition coils and just right of the battery. To remove the belt to this assembly, there must be a tensioner.

Two questions.

Would the main tensioner and the serpentine belt have to be removed to remove the belt providing services to the M90?

Where is the tensioner for the M90 service belt?

I did read it is unlikely for me to service the snout because of the special puller needed.

Thanks..

[BNaylor]

Just relieve tension on the belt at the tensioner/pulley and the belt will slip off the pulley.

Snout removal procedures:

http://www.rollingperformance.com/snoutrebuild.htm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/aepa/blowerinstall.html

You do not need to remove the main serpentine drive belt unless you decide to remove the alternator which sometimes helps for easier snout removal.

[yaz4real]

Great diagram/ photo. Thanks for the information. Very much appreciated.