To DIY, or not to DIY

"Tristan" (casselts) 10/09/2017 at 19:32 • Filed to: None

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I’m getting ready to yank the front axle and replace the FUBAR’d ring and pinion.

Should I just take the easy way out and pay someone to do it for me, or should I just give it a shot on my own? It’s one of a very few things I’ve never attempted to DIY, and it would be an awesome skill to learn, but it would be very frustrating to mess it up.

crowmolly > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 19:41

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If you do not have the proper tools I would not attempt it. If you have (or can get) the right stuff I’d say go for it. Just be precise. Buy quality bearings.

And be sure to follow the proper break in procedure.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 19:42

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Replace with beam, remove transfer case, add turbo, add T56, lower it.

Tristan > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 10/09/2017 at 19:50

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You spelled LSx swap wrong.

Funny story, This Jeep started out life with a 2wd beam axle under it!

Also, emissions testing means we won’t be having any of that... :/

Tristan > crowmolly 10/09/2017 at 19:51

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It looks like I have everything aside from an inch-pound beam style torque wrench.

crowmolly > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 19:56

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You have a pinion depth tool? Not sure if you need it, but it makes the job easier.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 20:21

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Would it end up in a worse state if you DIYed it?

Are you time bound?

Can you afford to fuck it up?

If No-No-Yes was your response then dive deep into the hoopla and wrench away.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 20:23

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I always forget that Portland has emissions testing. Is it every year? Do they do an OBD scan or an actual sniffer. I’m sure they do a visual inspection as well.

Below is slight rant about emission testing.

When I was stationed in CA for a few years they had smog, and I moved there with a 76 Beetle. At the time smog went back to 73. They actually expected a 35 year old Bosch Fuel Injected air-cooled VW to pass a modern sniffer test. I had all the correct parts and the car was in great shape mechanically. I ended up selling it someone out of state. I was in the military and had just gotten it out of storage after spending a year in Korea. I couldn’t afford to put it back in storage for another couple of years. That was probably the last Beetle I’ve driven with zero rust and that everything still worked. It really made you appreciate a 93 Civic. I will always be bitter about CARB.

Urambo Tauro > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 20:38

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I’d say go ahead and DIY. Do the research and gather the tools you’ll need. As long as you’re meticulous and using quality parts, you’ll get ’er done right the first time.

Tristan > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 10/09/2017 at 22:52

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Sad!

Pre OBD 2 and >8,600 lbs GVWR is a sniffer test, post OBD 2 is just a plug in. I think they might stick a mirror under the car sometimes to check for cats, but otherwise there’s no visual. It’s a total joke, and it’s required every 2 years, I think. I’m still somewhat new to this. I was actually a bit worried about my Jeep when I moved here. The CEL was permanently illuminated from the manual trans swap. I managed to find the correct ECU and all was well, though.

Tristan > crowmolly 10/09/2017 at 22:53

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I don’t, but I can make due with a big depth micrometer.

Tristan > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 10/09/2017 at 22:54

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I don’t think it could get much worse, it’s gotten about 1,500 miles added to it in the last year, and I always pay for fuckups! That’s how you learn, I guess.

shop-teacher > Tristan 10/09/2017 at 23:03

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If you’ve got the time, then go for it.