Early 99 Turbo, Do I need to remove for wheel replacement?

[7.3early99F550]

Need to replace the wheel in my turbo. The wheel looks like it was used as a wood chipper, but there isn't any shaft play to cause the damage. It seems like the bottom screw for the compressor housing is not reachable without removing the turbo from the engine. Am I correct on this?? Its the early 99 turbo that has only 4 screws. This is my first time doing turbo work on a 7.3.

[7.3HeavyHauler]

probably get it with a swivel but thats the late 99's not sure if there is a real difference between the two as far as pulling the housing off.

[blue99stroker]

it looks like the early 99 turbo has only 4 bolts on the compressor housing instead of 5 on the late 99's.
id say a swivel too, if not the turbo is fairly easy to get off.
there is instructions on how to remove it on riffraffdiesel.com
if you take the turbo out use channel locks and hold the exhaust wheel and use a ratchet
if you are able to remove the compressor housing you can use an impact to get the old wheel off, a few quick blasts usually loosens it off. then hand thread it on and tighten it with a few more blasts.
oh and use anti-sieze on all the turbo bolts just in case,if you have to remove the turbo that is.
and if u take the turbo off i would change the pedestal orings as well.

[7.3early99F550]

It seems that the 5 bolt turbo housing bolts are fairly easy to get to if you have the right tools, which I do. However, I took one more look at mine and have come to the conclusion that the turbo has to come off. There is only about a 1/8" - 1/4" between the lowest housing bolt head and the side of the cylinder head assm., a big im-moveable object.

Just ordered a full rebuild kit with replacement ww even though the shaft is stable. Might as well have the parts on hand when the thing comes apart even if I don't think it really needs it.

This wheel had to injest something cause there is no scoring on the turbo housing from shaft play. Must be from the crappy original filter assm. not doing its job.