How hard is it to rebuild a turbo?
 

What exactly is involved? I see auctions for complete center sections, which give the impression you can just do it yourself. Can you really take a complete center section, add your fans and housings and be good to go?

Any thoughts you guys have on the subject would be appreciated.

Re:How hard is it to rebuild a turbo?
 

You will need small circlip pliers to remove the old ones, you will want some very fine steel wool to lightly polish the shaft, you will want to have a shop bead blast the turbine and compressor housing (not the inside of the compressor housing)
Assuming that the turbocharger compressor blades, turbine blades, shaft clearances are all still within spec you basically pull it all apart, and replace the parts given, and re-assemble in the same manner as removed, and as long as the rotating assembly is still in balanced condition, once togeather should be a reliable unit again if it failed only because the seals/bearings have worn down.

Remembering to mark the compressor wheel to shaft relationship so you can re-assemble it in a balanced configuration..

With the steel wool, you will want to remove any discoloration on the shaft where the bearings rest, and also inspect it for damage. If the shaft has damage (scoring of the shaft etc..), then it will have to be turned and oversize bearings fitted to keep proper oil clearances.
The hardest task will be removing the turbine housing bolts, because almost always they are severely rusted. A can of high quality penetrating sealant, along with a torch (butane or oxy-acetalyene) will aid in removing the bolts by heating up the turbine housing and using an open ended wrench to remove the bolts.

Also sometimes to remove the turbine housing, you will have to loosen all the bolts, and rotate the CHRA so you can remove certain bolts all the way, this can be a pain too, and a torch, and a brass mallet come in handy (along with a vice)

If you do decide to try it yourself, knowing the clearances for everything so you can measure wouldn't be a bad idea, you can try calling garrett up for them, but i really dont know of a good source for specs. To test the clearances you will need a pair of calipers, and feeler guages.
Also do not bead blast the CHRA, because there are small oil passages where glass can get stuck, and will damage the turbocharger, just clean with a wire brush and degreaser/brake cleaner.

Re:How hard is it to rebuild a turbo?
 

What is a 'shaft balancer'? Also, does anyone know of any good sites that show you how to rebuild a turbo with pics?

Thanks!

Re:How hard is it to rebuild a turbo?
 

projekteg explained it very well. To take it apart is pretty self explanitory.