Lessons Learned

[Sully]

I just finished putting in a new (rebuilt) starter and fuel filter and I thought I'd share a few nuggets of wisdom I acquired during the process. These may be old to some of you, but as a newbie who's learning as he goes (frequently the hard way, as you shall soon read) I hope that I can spare other newbies some grief.
1. It is not necessary to jack up the truck or to remove the DS front tire, although if you have the means, I imagine it would be easier. I was able to fit under the truck without doing that and it did work but it was awkward at times.
2. When doing the fuel filter, open the gas cap to relieve the pressure in the system. I only had about a cup or two of gas spill during the entire process and I didn't need to clamp any of the lines.
3. When removing the starter, there are two 17mm bolts that have to be removed. The one facing front can be gotten using a 3" extension and the rear one, a 6" extension. There is no need to remove the tranny dipstick, though some say they've found it helpful. I can't remember who posted this info up, but thanks.
4. When removing the starter, much as you may be tempted, do NOT remove the really long thin bolts on the exterior of the starter. Yes, it is easier to remove the starter in pieces, but it is a HUGE pain in the butt to put back together (especially when the screws holding the solenoid housing together are stripped out and have to be drilled out and then you discover that the rest of the starter is broken-see #5).
5. Have a big enough vise to hold your starter. If it falls out of the vise, parts will likely crack, rendering your newly rebuilt starter useless and causing you to make desperate calls to CDan (ask me how I know).
6. is your friend.

Good luck fellow newbies. As many have said, this isn't a hard job. Just be patient and hopefully you are not as stupid as I was.

-Pat

 

[RavenTai]

each task completed gives you experience that makes the next one easier.

 

[turbocruiser]

each task completed gives you experience that makes the next one easier.

Very true! I try to get some satisfaction from maintenance and repair things in different ways for different tasks: For something super routine like fluid and filter changes, I get satisfaction out of doing those jobs rapidly and with precision...IOW it is so routine that the "art" and "rhthym" to doing those things is the thrill. On the other hand for repair things that I've never ever done before I get satisfaction out of doing it slowly, methodically, referring to the FSM and MUD constantly etc ... the satisfaction is not from confidence, routine and repition but doing something right the first time, following all steps, being able to torque everything exactly as spec'd, etc. etc. etc. In one case the confidence is there all along from the start, in the other case the confidence comes after the completion of the challenge. Just one person's perspective.

Anyways, good job on the jobs you just tackled.

 

[syrinxstar]

Ditto your #5 above. Mine fell out of the vise as I cranked on the bolts. Luckily my hand broke the fall. I lost a fingernail that day. <pouring an oz from my 40>