So I thought that this was going to be a simple bolt on job. Got the cover and filter out, then when using my cheapo 7/16 socket on the breather bolts, I rounded out the socket. Time to put down the beer and head to Home Depot for a $1.68 7/16 socket.

Got back to the house and the breather bolts came right out. Removed the backing plate. Now I need to remove the throttle body support bracket. According to the service manual, there are two hex bolts behind the bracket holding it on. How can I get at these without removing the fuel tank? I welcome any options.

 

There is enough room to get a 1/4 drive in there with out removing the tank, use your hands to feel the torque bit insert into the head and loosen.

I did the left side first, after you remove that bolt you can turn the bracket out wards to get to the right side easier.

If you want you can trim off the edges of the bracket ( enough to allow room for the new back plate ), re-install the bracket then you will have something to clip the wires back onto.

 

 

I must not have the right tools. Anything attached to a ratchet is too long. I can get an allen on there, barely, but it is long ways. Short ways won't clear the support bracket. When the allen is standing long ways, the inch long top doesn't provide nearly enough leverage to break the bolts free. Even if it did, there is zero room to turn it.

Can you post a pic of your 1/4" drive and ratchet? You said you don't have to remove the tank, but did you unbolt it and lift it?

 

Just unbolt the tank at the front and prop it up.

Or take off the tank, it aint that hard.

 

Probably be better off in the long run to just keep the beer in your hand and pay someone else to do that job. If you don't have a good socket set and a set of allen wrenches I doubt you have a in/lbs torque wrench either. Just saying.

 

Yep, what he said, take out the rear tank bolt and prop up the rear of the tank. It just needs to raise a couple inches. I think I used my old filter to hold it up and that was perfect. It takes a little patience. I used a hex drive socket and was able to get them out.

Good luck.

 

Came here to write this. I raised the rear of the tank to give some tool clearance and not scratch the paint..

 

I have three torque wrenches. One in foot pounds, one in inch pounds, one marked with both.

Thanks for your input though.

 

Just a word of advice... the throttle body threads are extremely soft, be VERY careful.... You dont want to know how I know this.