Quote:
Originally Posted by kk2002s
I am on the cusp myself. My only reluctance is the though of the new being bad. I bought a new AOS a year and a half ago. My current, original gives me no indication it going bad. My motivation of course is this is a good preventative maintenance item and should be done
Having done my coolant expansion tank a couple months ago, I have to get up the courage to do the AOS.
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Your 2002 and my car will both be a little different and maybe tougher than the 2003.
Here is my take:
I removed the top hose to the AOS with no real issue (just a little persuasion). The lower side hose was positioned such that I could get a grip on the hose release but couldn't generate enough force to remove it right then.
I decided to focus on the lower hose and mounting bolts.
I broke both the bolts lose and then moved the oil fill tube out of the way and tackled the lowest hose clamp with the remote hose clamp tool. At first, it seemed like I'd have to do it all by feel. After a couple of failed attempts to attach the tool, I realized I could spot one part of the clamp. More failed attempts and then I could see both parts of the clamp. Its weird but you just keep with it and all of a sudden you have it!
Once the lowest clamp was loose, I removed the two T5 mountiing bolts and wiggled the AOS up and free of its mount. Leave the clamp tool in place on the lower clamp until you install the new AOS. Once the AOS was free, I could get enough torque on the other side hose to release it from the AOS.
Oil up the O-ring on the new AOS and install the thing! Piece of cake!
It's like you look at the job and think there's no way you can get to what you need to get to. You mess with it for a bit and all of a sudden, you got it!
I remember going to replace the shift detent. I'd read it took under an hour but when I got under my car I could not imagine how the heck I was going to get to old detent out and new one in.
An hour later, I was done!
You just have to hold your mouth right!