I bought my 91 325 vert as a first manual, first vert, first car to work on... I've never worked on cars before and want to learn.
I set out to change my oil pan gasket recently and decided to go the more "invasive" route of removing the subframe etc to familiarize myself with the underside of my car and have a clear shot at the oil pan gasket.
Initially I removed the driver's side control arm and most of the passenger side control arm, which I gather now may not have been necessary to completely remove... lesson learned. I encountered a stuck nut on the passenger ball joint, you know, the one that's conveniently located up and around the subframe, snug up near the exhaust? What a pain in the ass. I bought some crows foot wrenches to tackle this bolt since I read that this tool could be beneficial.
Well, I figured that I didn't actually need to remove that bolt so I didn't try. Instead, I consulted my bentley manual to see what it said in comparison to the numerous online DIYs I have read. Hey - the bentley claims this is only a five step process! Sweet!
1) drain the oil (check)
2) disconnect oil level sensor
3) remove two steering rack bolts from subframe
4) remove transmission bell housing
5) remove oil pan
This made it sound soooo simple, so I decided to pick it up from where I was and reinstall the control arms later when I was done with those silly 5 steps.
First came the oil level sensor. After I finally located it (the picture in the bentley sucks) I had to figure out how to disconnect it. The book didn't tell me so I stared at it for a while before I figured out I had to remove the air box to access it easily. Once the air box was out I could reach it, but it was covered in gunk and I couldn't see how to disconnect it, so I started cleaning it.
I found a bolt and a nut, guys. Just sitting there. Covered in oily dirt. I have NO IDEA where they belong. I can only hope some mechanic dropped them, couldn't find them and REPLACED them. I hope I'm not just missing them from somewhere.
I moved on and disconnected the sensor. Next up was to remove the two steering rack bolts. Got the first one out with my 15mm crows foot and an adjustable wrench, since I'm a child and don't have a grown up set of tools. Seriously, my ratchet set SKIPS 14mm, 15mm and 16mm. Why would I need those? I already have 6mm-13mm and then 17mm and 19mm! That's plenty!
Well, on to the second steering rack bolt. My crows foot is a crappy china tool and flexed enough to round off two corners on the bolt. I stopped at this point in the hope that when I borrow an impact wrench and the proper socket I haven't completely screwed myself.
Since I couldn't work anymore I decided to look around and think it out. Even if I disconnect this second bolt, it's not like I can move the steering rack. It's hooked up to the knuckle and the power steering pump. Why would the Bentley tell me to take the bolts off and then nothing else? Is there assumed work that I'm not picking up on? Did it skip "drain the power steering fluid, disconnect the knuckle and the power steering fluid connections"?
I feel like I'm going to have to go back to the online DIY guides, despite the bentley being touted as an authority. At this point though, I'm tempted to say screw it to the invasive route and try to just jack up the engine and slide the pan out. I really don't have anyone to teach me in person am I'm getting very discouraged. I'm pissed that I don't have the tools I need and that the stores around me sell shit tools. Those china crows foot wrenches are pieces of crap and were the only offering from the pep boys I went to... I would have bought american or german had they been offered.
I set out to change my oil pan gasket recently and decided to go the more "invasive" route of removing the subframe etc to familiarize myself with the underside of my car and have a clear shot at the oil pan gasket.
Initially I removed the driver's side control arm and most of the passenger side control arm, which I gather now may not have been necessary to completely remove... lesson learned. I encountered a stuck nut on the passenger ball joint, you know, the one that's conveniently located up and around the subframe, snug up near the exhaust? What a pain in the ass. I bought some crows foot wrenches to tackle this bolt since I read that this tool could be beneficial.
Well, I figured that I didn't actually need to remove that bolt so I didn't try. Instead, I consulted my bentley manual to see what it said in comparison to the numerous online DIYs I have read. Hey - the bentley claims this is only a five step process! Sweet!
1) drain the oil (check)
2) disconnect oil level sensor
3) remove two steering rack bolts from subframe
4) remove transmission bell housing
5) remove oil pan
This made it sound soooo simple, so I decided to pick it up from where I was and reinstall the control arms later when I was done with those silly 5 steps.
First came the oil level sensor. After I finally located it (the picture in the bentley sucks) I had to figure out how to disconnect it. The book didn't tell me so I stared at it for a while before I figured out I had to remove the air box to access it easily. Once the air box was out I could reach it, but it was covered in gunk and I couldn't see how to disconnect it, so I started cleaning it.
I found a bolt and a nut, guys. Just sitting there. Covered in oily dirt. I have NO IDEA where they belong. I can only hope some mechanic dropped them, couldn't find them and REPLACED them. I hope I'm not just missing them from somewhere.
I moved on and disconnected the sensor. Next up was to remove the two steering rack bolts. Got the first one out with my 15mm crows foot and an adjustable wrench, since I'm a child and don't have a grown up set of tools. Seriously, my ratchet set SKIPS 14mm, 15mm and 16mm. Why would I need those? I already have 6mm-13mm and then 17mm and 19mm! That's plenty!
Well, on to the second steering rack bolt. My crows foot is a crappy china tool and flexed enough to round off two corners on the bolt. I stopped at this point in the hope that when I borrow an impact wrench and the proper socket I haven't completely screwed myself.
Since I couldn't work anymore I decided to look around and think it out. Even if I disconnect this second bolt, it's not like I can move the steering rack. It's hooked up to the knuckle and the power steering pump. Why would the Bentley tell me to take the bolts off and then nothing else? Is there assumed work that I'm not picking up on? Did it skip "drain the power steering fluid, disconnect the knuckle and the power steering fluid connections"?
I feel like I'm going to have to go back to the online DIY guides, despite the bentley being touted as an authority. At this point though, I'm tempted to say screw it to the invasive route and try to just jack up the engine and slide the pan out. I really don't have anyone to teach me in person am I'm getting very discouraged. I'm pissed that I don't have the tools I need and that the stores around me sell shit tools. Those china crows foot wrenches are pieces of crap and were the only offering from the pep boys I went to... I would have bought american or german had they been offered.
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