I am looking for a good used turbo and found one for sale but has some shaft play. The specs are listed below.. whats it worth?

Blades look to be in great shape but there is a fair amount of shaft play.
Measured by local machinist. Shaft play end to end is .0015 when pushing the shaft back and forth from compressor side to turbine side. Shaft play on compressor end taken from end of nut is .013 up and down.

Is it worth buying.. how much should I offer?

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Sounds like a core, worth $50 at most. Expect to spend $300 or so on a professional rebuild.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

woah.. I really need to rebuild then.

probably 5/64" radially for me.

My blades will just contact the housing if I push hard enough.

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Radially is not that important as long as its not touching the housings, the oil pressure will take up the clearance and center the shaft.

Axial (in-out) play is whats important. If you can feel any movement with your fingers its time for a rebuild. The thrust bearing is what takes all the load of the exhaust pushing and the compressor pulling the shaft.

Don't push hard, use gentle force.

A rebuild can fix axial play?

I have read so many different opinions on this. There is some axial, only perceptible with pliers and a bit of force.

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If you can't feel it just using your fingers, its not there. Using pliers to force movement will only damage the bearings.