Replacing AOS: To remove wheel or not?
 

I have to replace my AOS and it seems that there are two ways to do it.

The first: https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/airoilseparatorreplacement where Mike tells you to take the right rear wheel off.

And the second: http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/Replace_the_Air_Oil_Separator.html where Pedro does everything from the top of the car.

Who has done either of these and what was your experience? I'm debating which one I should go with.

I've done two of these and can't see it being done without removing the wheel.

My first was a Tip tranny. Second was a Standard tranny.

Removing the wheel will make the job easier. I spent most of my time under the car when replacing the AOS.

Thanks guys. One question about wheel removal.

Do I use the jack that came with the car to be able to fit a better (taller) jack under the car?

And

How many jack stands should I buy for this project?
1 for the Right rear?
2 for the entire rear?
4 for the whole car?

I have never used the jack that came with the car; I always use a floor jack and stands. For the AOS project you should use at least two stands at the rear lift points to keep the car stable. If you are going to maintain your 986 regularly you will want a nice floor jack and four stands. A car lift would be nice but depending on the design can limit access to some things on the vehicle.

The jack in the car barely qualifies as a jack. You have to stick that little tool in that little hole and lift a nearly 3K pound car with something that looks like the crank on an old ice cream maker. The contact point is miniscule, almost dangerous looking if you're changing the tire in the dead of winter with 40mph winds. Which is exactly when I first had to use the jack after blowing out a rear.. I'd only used race jacks (dime a dozen on Ebay) for autocross events in the past wish I had one those that night. You should have a proper jack and maybe Bosch impact gun for the lugs. But I keep a big lug wrench in the car too.