Hmm maybe a few more but first some agreement:

Trans is always tough. Bolts are big, stuck, hard to get at. Cooler lines are difficult or at least annoying. At least the mounts come apart reliably. Best done on a lift with a trans jack- obviously out of the range of almost all home mechanics.

Lower u-joint or rack. No fun. Dirtiest job I ever did but one of the most rewarding- I had a totally loose lower u-joint. Steering and road feel DRASTICALLY improved. Likewise the inner end of new rack boots can be a royal filthy pain. Don't know why they're so dang hard to get over the rack end.

Heater fan is not fun. I did manage to do one in 5 hours or so in my 86. I put one in the 82 245T lastyear, the "long way" taking the dash out. Probably 9-10 hours though I was changing over the dash to a less-cracked 87 dash panel.

Add to this:

Ignition switch. Oh god, drilling out the security bolts was a pain. Broke a nice cobalt bit when I snagged the side of the sheetmetal crossmember. Once drilled, an easy-out (MAC tools brand, square) got the bolts right out and it was pretty easy from there. Just lousy access, upside down under the dash. And STUPID bolts with no heads. Note I was changing the key lock, not just the switch electrical part.

Front struts. Wound up with the top nut stuck- had the cartridge out, bolted together with the top spring perch, bump stop, strut bearing etc. Had to grind flats on the strut rod to hold it with a wrench. My impact wrench just made this thing spin. Almost made me give up. Better if I'd had a helper. Ended up very happy with my Bilstein Touring struts though.

Speedo cable. In the 82 Turbo- it snakes behind a heat shield behind the turbo. Also comes through firewall across behind the engine in a tough place. No good access on either side. Frustrating more than anything.

My #1= In-tank fuel pump & sending unit. No, I don't own the IPD spanner tool. I suppose that would help. Getting that nut off hammer and chisel style - what fun. Getting one back on, with a new o-ring- almost impossible. Damn these things for rusting.

Close second, in the PITA department- replacing the brake distribution block. Actually this was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was lucky that all 8 lines turned with only normal effort. But a filthy messy job and I hate leaking brake fluid. Nasty stuff.

Keep your brick alive!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!