im considering buying bakers blown T3 for my setup. im not really into sending it out and getting it professionally rebuilt as it would go well over my budget. im just wondering if anybody here has actaully rebuilt one on their own and can tell me how hard it is and what kind of tools i would need.

 

Not very hard, there are instructions from garret I found on the web. The rebuild kits are a little pricey and they come with standard size bearings. Which means if your center section or shaft is worn they wont be the optimum fit for you. And you dont have the option of balancing the wheels while your rebuilding. Otherwise get yourself a long snap ring pliers, it will make things a lot easyer.

 

two options, there was a guy selling new T3 center sections for around $85-100 (haven't seen it in awhile) or there is a guy on ebay that sells rebuild kits for $75 and if you send him your wheels, a few parts from the kit and $15 he will balance it and send it back to you.

 

i think the only things that need to be replaced are just the seals as its smoking pretty badly. im still debating on wether or not i wanna buy the turbo though...

 

The hardest things to remove are the internal circlips. When you are pulling the turbo apart you should select two fins, one on the compressor wheel and one on the turbine wheel that are in a straight line, and mark them with some paint. After you have replaced the seals, make sure the two marked fins are aligned then tighten the compressor wheel retainer nut. This should eliminate the need to rebalance the turbo. If the turbo uses carbon seals, make sure you soak them in engine oil over night or for a couple/few day prior to installation.

FYI...I rebuilt mine myself about three years ago, and its working perfect.

 

were there any special tools that you used?

 

I could not find any circlip pliers small enough to fit the holes in the circlips, so I filed down the tips of a tweezer, and made my own circlip remover. That's the only special tool I used.

 

wanna see it?

lets see how my adventure goes when i get the turbo/kit. worse case id have to send it all out in pieces and get it professionally rebuilt