http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

anyone done this themselves before?

 

Heck ya it is! I have never rebuilt a turbo, but I imagine it would be very straightforward. It is always worth saving some money and learning something new!

 

What about balancing?

 

Bingo. How do you plan on effectively balancing something that spins at 120,000 RPM knowing that even the slightest variation means kaboom? I'd say suck it up and send it out. There's a reason those shops exist. For a straight reseal only, I'd say sure. If you're going to actually change out the compressor wheel, send it out.

 

Find a local turbo shop to balance it for you, locally it will cost me $50 to have it balanced.

 

Greg I have an extra 26/6 sitting here with zero shaft play if you need a turbo.

 

Mike-
I might need one. I've got one with a couple of nicks in the impeller and another one spewing oil from every single seal, but minimal shaft play. Send me a PM if you want to unload that turbo.

 

This might help http://www.ecanfix.com/~mdhamilton/turborebuild.html

 

If I remember correctly the compressor wheel is keyed and can only be installed one way and since it was already balanced with the turbine and the shaft (inseparable) then there would be no need for rebalancing unless one or the other requires replacement so for anyone with undamaged blades there should be no problem rebuilding a turbo yourself.
I've done a K26 and a few turbos from the Conquest TSI's years ago with kits from Turbo City with no problems.

TS