All,

Does anyone know of a decent shop around the Portland, OR area that has experience installing new TCT's in our S2Ks? It sounds like 37k miles have taken their toll on my AP1's stock unit.

I plan on picking up one of the Ballade Sports Heavy Duty Tensioners off their website:

http://www.balladesports.com/product...hain-tensioner

Thanks,

Andrew

 

They're pretty easy to install yourself. If you can handle an oil change its not too bad.

 

Decent shop? Try your garage or driveway. Easier than an oil change and no need to change out of the suit you're wearing in your avatar.

Really. I've no experience in the Ballade but the OEM or Billman GenX is dirt simple. I think ya just need a 10mm wrench, an Allen wrench and needle nose pliers. And a paper towel for the oil drips. The TCT has gotta be the slipperiest thing I've handled in a long time. Almost dropped it on my unprotected fender.

-- Chuck

 

Get the Billman unit. All others are either copies of his or not and dont work as well. He offers a lifetime guarantee on it and has the best most respected reputation on s2ki for many years. I have not needed a new TCT unit to this point, but when I do he will get my business.

I have done the TCT replacement however, and its not complicated, but you do need to understand and know what your doing, because there is the potential to drop the pin down in the motor if you dont execute it right, and that would cause a hell of a lot more work, and you better hope you find it. I honesty dont trust many mechanics, and out of financial necessity I just always grew up working on my own cars so that what I do when I can today. If your mechanically inclined, you should ave no problem doing this operation on your car. But you will want to find some directions/thread on s2ki you are confident in.

 

Yep, i recall Ray changing a few of these in the Azteca parking lot. Easy, easy, easy.

Chris is the only one who might drop the pin into the motor!

 

It could happen

 

Dropping the clip (pin) was my fear too. Needle nose pliers with teeth (not smooth) are the key.

I installed the Billman Gen-X while wearing tan Dockers and a long sleeve dress shirt and didn't get them dirty. Ratchet 10mm box wrench really helps, there's little space in there. The complaint that the Billman unit requires a core return is specious. It was out in the next day's mail and the core deposit refunded via Pay Pal two days later when it arrived in Long Island. Quality unit. Quality service.

-- Chuck

 

Get some of those bent needle nose pliers, makes it all extremely easy.

 

i agree... very easy stuff.. i was hesitant at first but just followed the instructions..

 

If you can change the oil off this car. TCT change is not an issue. I have faith in you. You can do it with a set a straight pliers and 10mm socket wrench combination. Don't believe most things you read on the forums 10 minutes for the skilled. 20 minutes for those with a beer in hand.