Looking to do the WW install soon. I saw this powerstrokehelp video on you tube: YouTube - 7.3 PERFORMANCE TURBO UPGRADE

I have heard using an air impact wrench is hard on the bearings in the turbo? That way looked a lot easier than pulling the turbo. Any thoughts? I don't know if you would have to pull the valve covers but not very hard to do as much practice as I have had.

 

I can't tell you from personal experience but I would pull the turbo. I can say that 99 percent of all things on powerstrokehelp is crap. I would all ways ask first before doing anything from that site. Others will chime in to help out.

 

Don't use an impact on the wheel. I used a 1/4" drive ratchet to get mine off does'nt take much to get it off. You can remover the down pipe and use a screwdriver with tape on the end to hold the exhaust wheel but you do run the risk, like a member here did, of bending or breaking the fins. Pulling the turbo is pretty easy and will give you the opportunity to see if anything else needs to be done while you are in there.

I agree with Andrew also the Powerstrokehelp guy does have some good info but some of it is crap and some of his methods are very questionable and could get a novice into some trouble.

 

Yeah, I know his video are not always that accurate that was why I was asking. I've just heard the up-pipes can be a pain and was trying to avoid removing the turbo. Thanks

 

I used two screwdrivers wrapped in tape, and had no problems. DO NOT use an impact wrench! How would you like hammering on the turbo shaft with an actual hammer? Same effect. And you don't need to pull the valve cover to get the housing off. You don't even need to pull the housing all the way off! I left the waste gate arm attached and just moved the housing up & back to get the wheel out. There's JUST enough room, and you don't have to jack with that PITA C-clip.

 

I don't see anything wrong wth using a small impact.You actually don't sit and hammer it,about one hit will break the wheel loose
I had the turbo off and used an impact,seemed better than sticking foreign stuff in the fins

 

I used a impact when I installed my ww. I did not remove the valve cover either.

 

Ah powerstroke help guy, ya gotta luv him. I will be removing my turbo to replace my wheel. But then again Im putting a rebuild kit through her

 

When I had my stocker I changed out the wheel with the turbo on, did exactly like Joe said but beings I seen first hand what can happen if you don't get a good lock down with the screwdriver on those exhaust fins, toasted turbo. I have no more loaner turbos.. What I would do, get the screwdriver thru the exhaust side, try to break the wheel loose, if it doesn't with a bip, take the turbo off, no sense in ruining your turbo.

 

Yup we did mine with the turbo on also. Cringing the whole time with the screw driver up there. No valve cover removel or the wastgate arm. There was room to get in there to get it off.

 

I did mine with the turbo on the truck.
Tried the impact gun first, but it was on there so tight that it just spun the shaft.
I was forced to remove the downpipe and use the taped screwdriver method.
Didn't bend any fins and I was nervous about it too.

 

I dd mine with the turbo on. It was a PIA but I didn't want to take the turbo off and not replace the O-rings. That and the fact that I didn't have to mess with the clip made me want to do it that way.

 

That's why I used two screwdrivers -- it certainly helped spread the load, and I also sprayed a little PB Blaster on the compressor wheel threads. Came loose with no problem. When I took the turbo apart later, there wasn't a mark on the exhaust wheel. It's VERY stout and although there have been a one or two folks apparently bend it, I can't imagine the compressor wheel being on THAT tight. If you ever take one apart you'll see what I mean.

 

Thanks for all the inputs. Sounds like mixed opinions about using an air impact wrench. For those that have done it that way did you use a low psi setting on the air compressor? I'm kind of apprehensive about sticking a screwdriver in the other side. I guess either way you could cause damage. Food for thought.....I still need to order the WW. Just trying to figure out if I was going to pull the turbo. Then I would be doing the pedastal o rings and maybe the ebpv mods. Maybe gut the exhaust flap.

 

My wheel was on there pretty tight. I did'nt like the idea of sticking anything in the fins so I used an impact. I just blipped the trigger on the impact about five times and the wheel spun free without even holding the exhaust side with anything.

Installing the new wheel, I held the exhaust side with my fingers (careful the fins are sharp) and spun the new wheel on hand tight. When you get the housing back on, check to make sure the wheel do not touch the housing on ethier side.