mdregister
09-23-2004, 03:08
Finally had time to finish up the install of my DSG timing gears last night after a lengthy (to me) wait on the arrival of my harmonic balancer removal/install kit.
So far the gears are great!! It is a little hard to tell the exact benefits as I have only driven the truck in cool air (last night and this a.m.), when my truck normally runs its best anyway, but one thing is for sure, the throttle response is much crisper.
The install, though a PITA, was actually not all that terrible. I am a definite novice, and with all the info I have gathered here, it was really a cinch. The quality of the DSG gears was top-notch, and everything fit perfectly.
At 120,000 miles my timing chain set was definitely in need of replacement. I did not measure the exact amount of chain slack-there was no need to-way too much. I removed the chain and sprockets without any tools, they came off by hand.
I can definitely hear the gears at idle. At first, I thought it was a v-belt slipping, but after listening more closely, the sound is mechanical in nature. The gear sound is not noticeable at any engine speed other than idle.
Things I recommend for the install:
1. Hammer. When rotating the engine to TDC by hand, it is difficult to stop the crankshaft at exactly TDC. Tapping the handle of your flex bar will let you move in small increments when close to TDC.
2. Impact wrench. Worth its weight in gold when doing this project. No need to brace the flywheel if you have one. ZIP! ZIP! and the balancer bolt/gear bolts are out with no fuss. I scored a nice IR 2131A off ebay for less than $60 shipped.
3.Short/deep 15mm and 1/2 sockets. 10mm/8mm for hose clamps and fan shroud bolts. 15/16 for dampner bolt. 7/8 deep for water crossover fitting.
4. If you do not remove your injection pump (like me), I suggest you use a 15mm "gear wrench" to re-install the pesky bottom-right injection pump bolt on the stud in the valley of the block. This was absolutely the most frustrating part of the whole job for me. I dunked the bolt in some axle grease so it would stick to the stud and worked it on with the gear wrench. Whew!
5. 14mm dampner installer for general motors "X-body" vehicles-KD tool number 2806. I got one off e-bay for about $7 shipped. This installer eliminates the need to make a longer dampner bolt for the re-installation of the dampner.
6. 1/2 thread steel water pipe plug to replace the one you can not possibly remove from your old water pump and put in your new water pump smile.gif $0.63 at Lowes.
If I think of more, I will add it later.
Mike
[ 09-23-2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: mdregister ]
So far the gears are great!! It is a little hard to tell the exact benefits as I have only driven the truck in cool air (last night and this a.m.), when my truck normally runs its best anyway, but one thing is for sure, the throttle response is much crisper.
The install, though a PITA, was actually not all that terrible. I am a definite novice, and with all the info I have gathered here, it was really a cinch. The quality of the DSG gears was top-notch, and everything fit perfectly.
At 120,000 miles my timing chain set was definitely in need of replacement. I did not measure the exact amount of chain slack-there was no need to-way too much. I removed the chain and sprockets without any tools, they came off by hand.
I can definitely hear the gears at idle. At first, I thought it was a v-belt slipping, but after listening more closely, the sound is mechanical in nature. The gear sound is not noticeable at any engine speed other than idle.
Things I recommend for the install:
1. Hammer. When rotating the engine to TDC by hand, it is difficult to stop the crankshaft at exactly TDC. Tapping the handle of your flex bar will let you move in small increments when close to TDC.
2. Impact wrench. Worth its weight in gold when doing this project. No need to brace the flywheel if you have one. ZIP! ZIP! and the balancer bolt/gear bolts are out with no fuss. I scored a nice IR 2131A off ebay for less than $60 shipped.
3.Short/deep 15mm and 1/2 sockets. 10mm/8mm for hose clamps and fan shroud bolts. 15/16 for dampner bolt. 7/8 deep for water crossover fitting.
4. If you do not remove your injection pump (like me), I suggest you use a 15mm "gear wrench" to re-install the pesky bottom-right injection pump bolt on the stud in the valley of the block. This was absolutely the most frustrating part of the whole job for me. I dunked the bolt in some axle grease so it would stick to the stud and worked it on with the gear wrench. Whew!
5. 14mm dampner installer for general motors "X-body" vehicles-KD tool number 2806. I got one off e-bay for about $7 shipped. This installer eliminates the need to make a longer dampner bolt for the re-installation of the dampner.
6. 1/2 thread steel water pipe plug to replace the one you can not possibly remove from your old water pump and put in your new water pump smile.gif $0.63 at Lowes.
If I think of more, I will add it later.
Mike
[ 09-23-2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: mdregister ]