Have you ever follow directions to a T and realize you didn’t?

[A930Rocket]

Working on my never ending project car, a 2005 BMW 330ci, I’m swapping out a 3.46 diff for my 2.98. In order to do this, I have to swap out the yoke/input shaft. No problem. I got this. I used a punch to make two marks, in order to align the nut back where it it was before I took it off.

After I remove the input shaft and replacing the seal, I realized I should have marked the pinion with the nut, not the nut to the yoke/input shaft.🤪

I don’t know how many splines there are, but I guess if I rotate it one spline at a time, I might be able to find the original location.

Edit: by the book, I should get a new crush sleeve and do the proper procedure, but all the BMW forums, said if I mark it properly and tighten it back where it was, it will work.

Edit 2: I can drop it off at the Indy BMW shop on the way to work next week, when I go out of town again. I don’t want to install it, only to take it back out because it’s whining.

[Baz]

I have made mistakes on so many projects - outsmarted myself - tried too hard - took the long way around - you name it.

The takeaway for me has always been not to overthink things and to take a break whenever you feel you're no longer making headway. Usually when you come back to the project you have a renewed sense of fervor!

[cabmandone]

More times than I care to remember.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Baz

Usually when you come back to the project you have a renewed sense of fervor!

Or a bigger f'n hammer!

[Bugsinrugs]

I still can’t find where that 17 mm bolt goes that was left over after I did a timing belt on my Tacoma.

[Gogar]

Whenever you're upset about having done something poorly, rest assured there's a professional out there who's doing it much worse than you are, with twice the confidence.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Or a bigger f'n hammer!

I'm more of a "cheater bar" kinda guy....

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Whenever you're upset about having done something poorly, rest assured there's a professional out there who's doing it much worse than you are, with twice the confidence.

And he's probably getting the chicks too....

[oldE]

Directions?
Since my projects are usually custom "furniture" builds or repairs on old farm equipment, there are no directions. That's why chairs were invented. When you're tempted to reach for the longer bar (or the pipe to slide over it), have a sit down and think about what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Chances are there's a better way. If it doesn't come to you right away, it's time for a cup of tea, or a beer.
Remember: if there's no time to do it right, you'll find time to do it over again.

Best
Les

[KFC911]

You mean "to a T", not "to a t"? Hmmm...

Never

[beatnavy]

All the time. It drives me crazy. Sometimes it's my own stupidity (not reading carefully enough, trying too hard, etc.) but often it's just poorly worded instruction, maybe written by someone who didn't major in English, or who perhaps doesn't even speak it

Writing good instructions is somewhat of an art form. I like those (rare) instructions that try to give you the "big picture" or what your objective is on a specific step so you actually have some idea WTF they mean.

[fastfredracing]

A this point, you could just try to get it back to the required preload. I am going to take a guess that marking either piece will not be that accurate anyhow, since you are replacing the yoke, that dimension will change slightly , and the torque/preload on that bearing will change slightly . If you were only replacing the seal, then you would have been golden
And, yes, all the time, sometimes, the procedure described in the directions does not become clear, until you have your hands on it, and have already whoopsied.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Who needs instructions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQwYNca4iog

[stevej37]

I've never needed directions to a T....or an A

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

I have made mistakes on so many projects - outsmarted myself - tried too hard - took the long way around - you name it.

The takeaway for me has always been not to overthink things and to take a break whenever you feel you're no longer making headway. Usually when you come back to the project you have a renewed sense of fervor!

Yep, I'll often be thinking about how to accomplish some task that seems like a royal PITA. Occasionally my wife will pull, "why don't you just do X, Y, and Z?"
DOH! Yeah, that makes sense and seems pretty simple/obvious.

Originally Posted by cabmando

More times than I care to remember.

Exactly, so I don't. Selective amnesia.

Besides, I'm married, I don't have to remember each instance...

[A930Rocket]

The directions were probably good, but my memory. I should have been looking at a print out, to see if there was a picture (I'm more of a visual person) and not a description, while doing it.

I'm replacing the lifters this weekend and having read many DIY's, I have a good idea of how everything disassembles and reassembles, but the timing of the cam and chains will need close attention. This is where having a buddy to help comes in.