Suggestions?: I can't remove my d-side turbo hard pipe to replace d-side motor mount.

[mydreamcar]

Hello again. Thanks in advance.

I can't even get my hand in there to remove the turbo hard pipe on the d-side. Though I'll keep trying, I'll tell ya, I'm worried if I can't remove the turbo hard pipe out because it's so tight in there, how the hell am I going to get it back in there if I do? I've tried pulling it out and it's in the turbo pretty solid.

Suggestions appreciated.

[zillarob]

You only need to loosen it a lil if you got harbor fright and get a sacrificial 13mm wrench.




If replacing with oem style, it helps to knock the ears down to about 1/16" (just enough left to feel when it indexes into the bracket) so you can spin it on further by hand, and shortening the stud is a good idea on aftermarket inlets so it doesnt rub.

[mydreamcar]

Exactly. I was thinking what tool could get in there without removing that pipe. Coming up from the bottom seemed impossible until I saw what you did. Good thinking Zillarob. I got my 3/8" Craftsman ratchet in there and on the top motor mount nut because I removed a power steering hose and coolant hose that was in the line of site in that pciture. This cleared up enough room to see the top motor mount bolt and get the wrench in there, yet, soon realized that I need either a fine-tooth ratchet (I didn't know they made those till someone told me), or maybe a wobbly head on an extension. Or, maybe the up from the bottom technique like you did. Thanks a ton for sharing.

[mydreamcar]

UPDATE:

I did not have to remove the driver's side turbo hard pipe to get to the top motor mount bolt. As a tip to get to the driver's side top motor mount bolt (it's a PITA to get to): I didn't have to remove the driver's side turbo hard pipe (because it was so tight I couldn't remove it and was afraid of not being able to get it back in). I dropped the A/C compressor and removed the power steering line and coolant line that was to the right front of the A/C compressor to allow more room to get a wrench in there. I also pulled up the vertical coolant hard pipe that goes to the coolant reservoir a few inches. I was able to use a 1/4" ratchet (w/ a 13mm regular (non deep) 3/8" socket w/ 1/4" to 3/8" adaptor) to access the top driver's side motor mount from the front of the engine and was able to loosen the top motor mount bolt. Then I was able to spin the motor mount itself to loosen it from the top motor mount bolt.

[zillarob]

Most people drop the lower aluminum engine mount bracket thing that the swaybar mounts to and attack it from below.
Its hit or miss whether or not you need to loosen the inlets. The tough ones are the larger inlets like tial or ft.