I am about to start quite a bit of work on my 96SE to be able to tow a small uhaul trailer back to the west coast. I came out to Boston this feb for a job that just last tuesday went away. So I need to do this the most inexpensive way and safe for my family.
I am going to install a Trtansmision Cooler.
Change the transmission filter.
Replace the passenger side mirror.
Replace the oil pan gasket.
remove the useless AC compressor and put in a bypass pully.
Install air operated stiffeners on the rear end.
Have Uhaul install a hitch and wiring for the trailer.
so my question is does nayone see anything I should watch out for in all this.
Regards,
James
Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
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00Beast
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Re: Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
Sounds like a good plan to me. Sorry to hear about your job, hope things look up soon.
Bye Bye:
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LeSabre in Buffalo
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Re: Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
Agreed on everything you're doing.
The AirLift springs run about $80, and can be installed by inexperienced hands. For load hauling, run them connected to each other.
Also, the transmission cooler doesn't have to be giant. The B&M 70268 on my car is massive overkill, and I'd gladly trade it for a smaller one.
The AirLift springs run about $80, and can be installed by inexperienced hands. For load hauling, run them connected to each other.
Also, the transmission cooler doesn't have to be giant. The B&M 70268 on my car is massive overkill, and I'd gladly trade it for a smaller one.
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Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.
1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car
Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.
Re: Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
Thanks for the tip on the trans cooler, I was wondering about that. Good to hear the airlift springs are easy.
I am gonna have uhaul put on the hitch for me and the wiring for the trailer.
James
I am gonna have uhaul put on the hitch for me and the wiring for the trailer.
James
LeSabre in Buffalo wrote:Agreed on everything you're doing.
The AirLift springs run about $80, and can be installed by inexperienced hands. For load hauling, run them connected to each other.
Also, the transmission cooler doesn't have to be giant. The B&M 70268 on my car is massive overkill, and I'd gladly trade it for a smaller one.
Re: Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
Changing the oil pan and gasket is next, but the funny thing is I asked a shop how much they would charge for the labor and they looked it up in the "BooK" and said it took 2.8 hours. at their rates it was over 300 for the job with my parts.
Is it really that hard or timeconsuming and am I getting into something I had better pay a mechanic to do?
James
Is it really that hard or timeconsuming and am I getting into something I had better pay a mechanic to do?
James
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Jrs3800
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Re: Towing with my 1996 Bonneville SE
Do you have a set of ramps or good jack stands?
If you do changing the gasket is something you can do... You may have to remove the flywheel sight shield to get at the rear bolts... You will need to unplug the oil level sensor... Once you get the pan off, you will need to remove the oil pick up tube( you can work around it, might have to bend the gasket out of shape a wee bit but its can be done ), the oil pan gasket kit will have a pick up tube gasket..
Its really not that bad of a job.. If you did this yourself, with the gasket the oil and filter, you should be less than $60 depending on the oil you get...
If you do changing the gasket is something you can do... You may have to remove the flywheel sight shield to get at the rear bolts... You will need to unplug the oil level sensor... Once you get the pan off, you will need to remove the oil pick up tube( you can work around it, might have to bend the gasket out of shape a wee bit but its can be done ), the oil pan gasket kit will have a pick up tube gasket..
Its really not that bad of a job.. If you did this yourself, with the gasket the oil and filter, you should be less than $60 depending on the oil you get...