Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rebuilding a Turbo at home, looking for feedback on the job.

[budnate]

Howdy guys, I want to rebuild my stock Holset HX-35 Turbo on my '98 12-Valve, I have watched a you-tube vid a guy did a volvo unit if I recall right... they dont look to complicated to me, I am a decent wrench but have never cracked a turbo open.



I was looking at ebay and they have a decent rebuild kit, with a nice exploded diagram, the truck has 250K on it I hear the turbo singing a little and I think its gotten a little louder recently, as long as its not blown, is it safe to say pull it down install new bushings and put it back together??... I wouldn't mind checking the balance on the vane but I assume it should be nuts on if there is no wear on the blades?.



have you guys done the ebay kits and had any luck??



any feedback on home rebuilds is appreciated. I was quoted like $350 plus shipping to do mine on a mail order deal, I have not asked any of the local shops yet, it just looks to dam easy to pay a guy 300 bucks for a hours work?? am I crazy?



I love the way the truck runs now, I just want this one like new and move on.



Peace, B

 

[EWalshak]

I used a kit on a turbo for my 6. 5 Suburban that I got on ebay. Everything was good. With the kit I got, included in the price was the balance of the turbine. It was from a turbo shop. (I believe in Utah). I think it was Rons turbo Service. All the Turbo guys I talked to said it was not a good idea to put it back together without the balance... .

 

[fest3er]

I used a kit on a turbo for my 6. 5 Suburban that I got on ebay. Everything was good. With the kit I got, included in the price was the balance of the turbine. It was from a turbo shop. (I believe in Utah). I think it was Rons turbo Service. All the Turbo guys I talked to said it was not a good idea to put it back together without the balance... .

Spinning up to 80,000-100,000 RPM, a turbo had best be well balanced!

 

[SRadke]

If you want the next one to go 250k you need to have a turbo shop balance it AS AN ASSEMBLY. Putting a bunch of balanced parts together does not make it balanced.

-Scott