Audio build is on hold for a bit. Need to replace the rear main seal. Also going to do a clutch and slave cylinder while it's apart. But the job is a monumental task. The whole rear end has to come out due to the design. Trans is in the back, with a torque tube going up to the bellhousing where the clutch is located.
Was waiting to figure out exactly how to tackle that, when she decided to start making a ticking sound one morning. I drove her to work and back home, and nowhere since. Inspected the harmonic balancer, and it was wobbling a bit. These LS engines are notorious for that, due to the balancer design. So since I had to dig that far in, decided might as well do the oil pump, timing chain set, and camshaft retainer plate.
No easy job either. Have to remove quite a bit, including the steering rack. Got super lucky for the opportunity to get one of the new QuickJack 7000TL:
They are a lifesaver for sure. Both figuratively, and literally.
Alright... let's get going on this balancer, baby!
Water pump has been replaced. Interesting:
And now, to fight this sumbeech:
Took me three days to get that stupid bolt out. Tried everything I could think of. Ended up turning the crank enough to wedge a breaker bar against the cradle over by the driver's side control arm, and used the starter to break it loose:
See the cracks? Failing balancer, that's what happens. Now to get this beast off:
Had to get yet another tool just for that: