[RESOLVED] Remove Timing Belt Cover / Motor Mount Bracket Bolts

[Telltell]

Hey guys, Im trying to remove the timing belt cover on my 96 non turbo. The motor mount bracket bolts that go through it are crazy long, and there is not enough space to remove them.

I searched the forums and it looks like i need to drill some holes to get both of those bolts out:

Timing belt cover removal

Ok so I tried drilling these holes, but I'm having trouble. How do I drill these holes? Is there a special drill or technique that I need?

Thanks guys I appreciate your help.

[#40Fan]

You can get them out without drilling.

Remove the nuts/bolts for the front transmission mount and put a jack under the oil pan. Jack the motor as high as you can. You can get the front two bolts out that way and the rear bottom one will come out with the mount bracket.

[VelocitàPaola]

Someone on 2GNT recently suggested removing the rear (not front) motor mount and the passenger side mount bolts will come out much more easily. Of course, removing the rear motor mount is somewhat difficult in and of itself.

[96_killer]

Remove the two side mount bolts (you can leave the trans mount alone if you want i would loosen the bolt it helps) or you can unbolt the trans mount and leave the side mount alone (their is a risk of damaging the rubber on the side mounts if this is done) put the jack Under the oil pan (a piece of wood under the pan is a must for this or you will destroy your oil pan! ) I suggest on trans side end and not the middle of the pan. jack up the motor until you can remove the mount bracket, it will take some wiggling to get it out. I have done this a bout three times on both my cars (seals,oil pump,timing belt,etc) i have gotten quite good at it.


PS. it is best if you removed your crank pulley before you lift the motor!!! The jack is necessary to remove the motor mount bolts.

[Telltell]

I appreciate your help guys. Thank you. I will report back when the problem is solved. Thanks again!

[Fotowntalon]

I've had a bunch of trouble with those aswell even with jacking up the one side. When i re-insalled them i shaved the bolts down some to make it easier to installation and removal for the next times. Just a little tip, if ya do it though, just be careful how much you shave off.

[mhDSM09]

I just went through this while starting my MLS hg swap. I was able to get the bracket off with only removing the pass side mount and jacking the engine up by the oil pan with a few phone books for cushion. It takes some wiggling to get it out but if you take the front two bolts out via the slot where the mount was located it will give you just enough room to get that final bolt out. Good luck!

[Telltell]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your suggestions. I just did it, and its tooo frekin easy!

For anybody looking at this for future reference, here is what I did, and its just what everyone suggests:

1. Remove the front motor mount
2. Jack up the engine with a piece of wood under the oil pan.
3. Jack it up until you can get the front bolt off the motor mount bracket.
4. Once you do that, pull the back bolt off the motor mount bracket out just enough so that you can wiggle both it and the motor mount bracket itself out (together). It comes right off.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!

PS. can you guys tell me how to mark this thread as resolved, i have this and a couple other i need to do that with. (sorry for the total newbieness..thanks guys)

[Locke]

Grey bar at the top of the thread has an option called "thread tools". It should be in there.

[Telltell]

thanks Locke!