Just for anyone unsure if they can do this themselves, allow me to offer some reassurance. I am not mechanical---I don't do oil/brake changes, have a lift, etc.---and was able to do this.
This was mine (2021 with ~60k miles). You do not need a lift or a ramp (although it would certainly make things easier). Things you will need include:
I wire brushed the KDSS bolts, as well as the surrounding housing to remove as much surface rust as possible and then gave it the Diddy treatment---marine grease errywhere. More aggressive rust might benefit from a drill wire brush and/or chemical agent rust remover (e.g., Rust Oleum). Once you're done applying elbow grease, just line up the shield, hand tighten the three bolts (so it doesn't drop onto your face) and finish off with the rachet.
Rate this a 1 wrench (out of 5) difficulty; anybody who's built their kids toys should feel comfortable doing it themselves. I'm planning to have the underbody coated in near future and will likely ask if the housing can be dry-ice cleaned (at which point I'll just reapply marine grease, which will likely become a bi-annual, driveway check-up).
This was mine (2021 with ~60k miles). You do not need a lift or a ramp (although it would certainly make things easier). Things you will need include:
- a simple rachet set (I used a $40 Husky 24-piece 3/8" mechanic set) that has a short extension (1 of the 3 bolts will require an extension);
- steel/brass wire brushes (Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc); and
- a coating/sealant of your choice (marine grease, fluid film, LPS #3).
I wire brushed the KDSS bolts, as well as the surrounding housing to remove as much surface rust as possible and then gave it the Diddy treatment---marine grease errywhere. More aggressive rust might benefit from a drill wire brush and/or chemical agent rust remover (e.g., Rust Oleum). Once you're done applying elbow grease, just line up the shield, hand tighten the three bolts (so it doesn't drop onto your face) and finish off with the rachet.
Rate this a 1 wrench (out of 5) difficulty; anybody who's built their kids toys should feel comfortable doing it themselves. I'm planning to have the underbody coated in near future and will likely ask if the housing can be dry-ice cleaned (at which point I'll just reapply marine grease, which will likely become a bi-annual, driveway check-up).
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