Hey everyone my airpump started screetching louder than a college girl trying A sex for the first time. Totally fine when i disconect the electrical plug. Seen one or two write ups about replacing the rear bearing and cleaning it up a bit but nothing about rebuilding the entire unit. I guess i could by a second hand one but it probably wont last too long either. Anyone seen any writeups about this? The noise def seems to be coming from the front of the airpump.

 

No experience or recollection of a write-up but you can search (if you haven't already) in the 3rd Gen. Tech section.
Since many AP's were removed by owners in states where emissions testing wasn't a concern, those AP's may not have many miles on them. And AFAIK, the AP is pretty robust and tends to last a long time. Check the PARTS FOR SALE section and deal with long time members and you'll likely find a good one. A quick check...I've dealt with this guy and was very happy.... https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...t-out-1122745/

 

I have cleaned and bought several used air pumps through the years. The front bearing in the pulley is not easily replaceable since it is locked in. The other front bearing in the pump unit itself is not replaceable. If it is the bearing in the pulley and your main pump is in good shape, just buy a used pump and savage the pulley. If it is your pump front bearing, you will need the whole thing. Be careful if you clean and check inside the pump, to not take the vane unit apart since it is balanced at the factory and would have to go back exactly the same way or it would destroy itself in short order.
Mike

 

 

Thx for the feedback guys. The previous owner did have it disconnected and sucking dirty hot air. Im guessing thats probably what made it fail. Its def the pump bearings too. It only grinds when the clutch is engaged.
I was able to get a second hand one for cheap yesterday but ill still pull apart the old one just to have a look inside. Im curious to see how its made and also what prevents the front bearing from coming out. Ill post some pics up of me dismantling it.

 

one slightly used airpump
well I was able to source a second hand one for a 100 bucks! pretty happy with that. bearings seem pretty smooth too. i thought id better open her up anyway and see if i could grease anything before i chuck it on the car.

 

just undid all the bolts on the back. Also gently worked my way around the housing with mallet and a screwdriver to break the seal. seemed to come apart pretty easily.

 

I dont know what i was expecting to find inside, maybe some lil baby rotors? but this was still pretty interesting. so there are these three vanes that secure to bearings and spin around an offset axis. They basically move in and out of the central hub as its rotating, following the inside walls of the housing.
Now I was really tempted to take out those hex bolts, because i really love tearing sh#t apart. but as mikejockich explained earlier, the unit is balanced. You can see the drill marks made on the hub surface. As this AP is going on the car its prob best that i dont break it just yet.
I did however manage to clean the dirt/carbon build up a bit. Just used a rag and some good throttle body cleaner. I also packed some new grease into the outer bearing and also into the three vane bearings. they were a little harder to get too, but a screwdriver and a little determination did the trick. Only had some old wheel bearing grease. I hope that will be ok. Guess it cant be any worse than the old crusty stuff that was already in there.
As u can see i just coated a little bit of gasket maker around the outside aswell.

 

FULLY SHICK BRO!
I couldnt resist. Im a perfectionist. Attacked it with a wire brush then sprayed it in matt black engine enamel :-) So whats the verdict now I've installed it on the car? WOW.........
no more squeaks at all. sooooooo quiet. It no longer sounds like two mice undergoing gender reassignment surgery. Dare I say my cars exhaust is slightly less stinky as well?

 

Artistic dawg. Thanks for leaving this up for us.