Hard Decision

[ronnyballgame]

There are clamps to secure the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head as an alternative to [attempting to] extracting the broken bolt(s). Reportedly, they work well and are a much faster/easier repair method.

I talked with the owner of the company last night. Great guy! I'm going to order what I need this weekend and hopefully a break in the weather will give me chance to install these...http://kralautoparts.com/product/exhaust-manifold-bolt-repair-kit-kap169

Obviously I have decided to keep my truck. This morning I'm calling the repair shop to set an appointment to replace the rear main and u-joints. We have a place that rents out bays, and after the first of the year I'm going to rebuild my front end. Any suggestions on what parts kit I should use would be appreciated.

 

[Jonah52]

Let me know what the rear main costs. I would like to have an idea of what to expect

 

[KATfishing]

2008 Yukon Denali 6.2 L. Just wanted to chime in on the manifold clamps. My rear bolt on each side was sheared off causing that annoying ticking sound. I hired my local shop to install the clamps to seal up those leaks and they work perfectly. They are a permanent fix, so don't let anyone tell you that the only "right way" is to replace the bolts. My clamps are from NAPA, but I believe Kral now has clamps for every bolt -- it used to just be the four corners. The rear clamps are the most difficult to install because of such little space to work... you need SMALL hands. I hired it out for that reason. Every other clamp would be quite simple to install and the clamps are very inexpensive. If I were you, I would strongly consider going that route!

 

[ronnyballgame]

Taking my car in today to repair the Main seal and to replace the throttle body. They shop is down a guy, so they asked if they could have it until possibly Wednesday...No big deal, just a small inconvenience. I know that the TB would be an easy fix, but it being -2 right now and no real good space to do the work, I'm going to let them install it. I bought the same part online for 30% of what they were charging. They said they had no problem with that. I had the front tires replaced about a month ago (went the cheapo route just in case) and then this Friday had a screw in the sidewall (I work at a lumber yard...) so two more new ones! Again, the cheapo route to match.

Now a question. My heated steering wheel works in the summer but not in the winter...Anyone else have that problem?

With all the work my car needs, I really hate winter right now...

 

[ronnyballgame]

So repairs on my truck have been progressing. Besides my rear main seal, they replaced the oil pan gasket and another seal back there. They had to remove those parts to get the main done. Fine with me because they did not charge me any more labor, just parts. Final cost was just under $1000.

The throttle body was replaced (I bought the part for $250 under what they were going to charge me, and it was the same part...I don't understand that), and they ended up having to change an oxygen sensor also.

Still need to order the manifold clamps, but the weather on the weekends when I have time to work on it (between my 10 year olds basketball games!) have been crappy, and with an 80% chance of ice this weekend, maybe I will just have the shop fix it...

I'm also looking at putting in a replacement leather seat cover and foam for the drivers seat. Warn in the normal spot...Anyone have to do that before?