Renew input shaft bearing

This is a job outside diy. Drive till it stops then throw away.

Mrcheerful

Have you done that before? I've read through the Ford TIS and it looks like a lot of work but doesn't seem impossible.

Nothing is impossible, but it is not worth doing, unless you have nothing else to do, good facilities and plenty of experience. I would avoid it, even as a paid job. it is listed as an 8.5 hour job, double that or more for doing it at home.

Mrcheerful

It isn't. THe hard part is realigning the front subframe because you've got to drop it to get the box out.

So, actually changing the bearing, once the box is out, is not a big deal?

I think I could realign the subframe by marking it's earlier position and using fabricated aligning pins.

What about the engine/transmission assembly alignment? The TIS suggest special tool 21-172 to be attached in place of the front engine roll restrictor. Could I do without the little bugger?

Sealey sell the subframe alignment tools for 20UKP:

Chris

No. There's nothing frightening about the job.

Quite possibly but the proper tools aren't dear and you can always sell them again on Ebay.

Can't recall anyone who I know who has ever used one.

And BTW, inspect and change the clutch if needed as well to save you having to hoik the whole lot out again.

Is your name meant to be ironic?

You seem to have a very negative attitude about people performing recreational car maintenance, despite being on uk.rec.car.maintenance...

The name is ironic, yes. However, I do have 40 years of experience, most of it repairing for other people as well as myself. I know that a gearbox repair on a Mondeo is beyond 99 percent of diyers, the fact that the question (is it easy?) is asked tells all you need to know. Plus a Mondeo is such a horrible car there should be a law that they are all crushed rather than have an MoT, plus they are not worth a carrot, so why spend anything on one, particularly the most precious thing: time ?

Mrcheerful

thanks, your comments are encouraging and useful

Also, I forgot to ask about another special tool. When reconnecting the gearshift linkage, TIS suggests removing the gaiter and using this tool for locking purpose. Is it also unneccessary/non-standard procedure?

What else (besides the clutch) is worth inspecting or replacing, once I get it on the table?

How much does the box actually weigh?

Dreamer

David Taylor wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@outcold.yadt.co.uk:

Mr C is a professional mechanic who spares some of his time give patrons of this NG the benefit of his knowledge and experience.

I'm sure his advice is given with your best interest in mind, rather than from a desire to be contrary or pessimistic.

Stu

Never asked "is it easy". As you figured, I never did it before and I know that people frown upon it. But I wanted to hear some thoughts on the job and why people hated it - just like I asked: is it really difficult (at all) or it is just time consuming.

I guess your bottom line advice would be to take my car to the junkyard first thing in the morning. After all, it's a Mondeo! I'll consider it...

Dreamer

David Taylor wrote in news:slrnetbkcp.2mbv.davidt- snipped-for-privacy@outcold.yadt.co.uk:

About as ironic as Dreamers, in this case :-) - Now that *is ironic.

I am aware you have lots of experience, and many of your posts are very informative. It's just that when someone asks "is this job impossible, or just a lot of work?", I don't think they want to be told "it's not worth doing because it'll probably take you 16 hours of work".

As I said, this is a _recreational_ car maintenance group. (Some) people are _happy_ to spend a few days fixing their car, especially if it means they don't have to pay for someone to fix their car (or, alternatively, another car) _and_ a way to entertain themselves for the weekend :)

If there's some obscenely difficult task to perform that requires hundreds/thousands of pounds worth of specialist equipment to do, then OK. But even then, that task can often be "sub-contracted" to a professional, leaving the rest to DIY.

I repeat: without experience, good facilities and a lot of time then it is not diy-able. Blind enthusiasm cannot make up for deficiencies in the requirements. I can take a gearbox to bits, but I know many mechanics who cannot and would not attempt to, so that bit is fairly hard on its own. Just removing the engine and gearbox from a Mondeo is far beyond most peoples abilities, the likelihood is that it will get taken apart and never reassembled, which is why I said just ignore it and drive it till it breaks. I sincerely hope that the op can fix it in a weekend, at home, I hope he gives an update.

Mrcheerful

Ok, I think I'll give it a shot. However, something's come up so I will have to postpone the job a month or two. I certainly hope (for my cars and wallets sake) that, when the day comes, Mrcheerful won't be able to say "I've told you so!". Nevertheless, if it comes to that point I'll admit that you were right, I was wrong and I overestimated my abilities:-(

Should I open a new thread once I start the job to keep you updated (and ask for advice, once I get stuck ;-) or continue posting to this one?

Dreamer

Most (mine anyway) news readers have already deleted your original post. So definitely start a new one when you do it. I really do wish you the best of luck, it is not a job for the faint hearted.

Mrcheerful