Can't remove the throttle body plate

Simonsaysr1 · Feb 24, 2016

I'm replacing my TB shaft seals and I've crossed the problem or removing the TB plate on a 2g . I removed the screws and the plate won't come off. Wiggled it everywhere and it's not breaking loose but I don't wanna bend or warp the plate. Also I forgot to mark the outer spring? Any advice to the correct turns on the outermost spring and the torque spec on the TB elbolt bolts

Eclipse'd · Feb 24, 2016

that plate is very touchy if you use pliers to grab it it will disform the metal and pose it illusbale almost. we all learn from experience

but if you havent eaten it up too bad but some pb blaster on it let it sit. what i did was just tapped it with a hammer and it fell right on the work bench :thumb:

the outter spring... DONT QUOTE ME!!! i wanna say it was 3 turns. ive only rebuilt maybe 3-4 tb's. tomorrow i can take one apart and get back to you on the exact procedure if nobody can help you before then im at work right now.

have you checked the fsm for the torque spec? i cant remember off hand.

Simonsaysr1 · Feb 25, 2016

Eclipse'd said:
that plate is very touchy if you use pliers to grab it it will disform the metal and pose it illusbale almost. we all learn from experience but if you havent eaten it up too bad but some pb blaster on it let it sit. what i did was just tapped it with a hammer and it fell right on the work bench

the outter spring... DONT QUOTE ME!!! i wanna say it was 3 turns. ive only rebuilt maybe 3-4 tb's. tomorrow i can take one apart and get back to you on the exact procedure if nobody can help you before then im at work right now.

have you checked the fsm for the torque spec? i cant remember off hand.

I appreciate it man. I wanna say it felt like four but the hook slid off on the spring so I don't know the true turns. And I'm not getting pliers near the plate to get it off for sure LOL

.

twicks69 · Feb 25, 2016

It is two revolutions on DSM throttle bodies for both springs. next time use a sharpie and mark a line on both springs at the same time so you don't have this problem.

With the throttle plate, gently use a plastic or rubber hammer to tap it out. Sometimes they are a bit sticky, and sometimes the plate has a preferred removal direction.

Don't forget to either note or mark the orientation of the throttle plate for reassembly.

1990TSIAWDTALON · Feb 25, 2016

I am thinking it is two turns on both inner and outer springs but it's been a while since I rebuilt one. Both have the same amount of turns tho. You will know it is right when it SNAPS back closed. Next time, draw a line with a sharpie across both springs before disassembly and mark inner and outer on the plate and draw a sharpie line from the plate to the inside of the bore of the tb so you orient the plate correctly when reinstalling. I use the butt end of a hammer to "tap" on the throttle plate to get it to move. If you look close there are some tangs on the plate to keep it centered so you have to get it past those and then it should slip on out.

twicks69 · Feb 25, 2016

1990TSIAWDTALON said:
I am thinking it is two turns on both inner and outer springs but it's been a while since I rebuilt one. Both have the same amount of turns tho. You will know it is right when it SNAPS back closed. Next time, draw a line with a sharpie across both springs before disassembly and mark inner and outer on the plate and draw a sharpie line from the plate to the inside of the bore of the tb so you orient the plate correctly when reinstalling. I use the butt end of a hammer to "tap" on the throttle plate to get it to move. If you look close there are some tangs on the plate to keep it centered so you have to get it past those and then it should slip on out.

, I ninja'd you!

1990TSIAWDTALON · Feb 26, 2016

, its ok Tim...great minds.... and I don't mind being ninja'd by someone that has far more experience than me :thumb:

Just a thing that I do with the springs is I tie a string or zip tie around the their tang to hold them together when I take them apart, not that it's necessary but helps when rewinding them as a pair.

Travis92talon · Feb 26, 2016

Just did my tb shaft seals last week on my 92. 2 turns on the spring is correct. I had to drill out one of the screws

1990TSIAWDTALON · Feb 26, 2016

One other tip I have is to dremel the "stake" off of the back of the two throttle shaft screws before trying to remove them and ALWAYS use a large bit screwdriver. When you go back together with it, ad a drop of locktite to those screws so the motor won't vibrate them loose and eat them.

PlanZero · Feb 26, 2016

I found that using an impact driver with the right size bit works perfectly on those screws. I just lean into it and they pop right out. I used a vice grip with a small piece of rubber tubing to remove the plate and the handle of a screwdriver as a mallot to tap it in and out.

Simonsaysr1 · Feb 27, 2016

Thanks everyone for your help I was able to remove the plate. Previous owner had JB weld it to the shaft? But I was able to remove the screws . A proper sized Philips head is the best to use to remove the TB screws, too large will slip too small will slip . I was lucky enough I had bought a cheap medium sized one from Lowe's and it didn't slip once. The old seals where horrible . the spring slipped after I almost had it on and bit me haha. It is 2 turns and I used a brass brush and 90% alcohol to clean the buildup off the housing

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Kenneth Schlorf · Mar 15, 2016

Just wanted to share a tip in case it is helpful to anyone searching through: I didn't properly tighten my springs when I reinstalled my throttle body. After having weird drivability and idling, I found that I needed to tighten the springs two turns. I was able to leave the throttle body on the car and turned the springs by making a zip-tie-lasso to walk the springs around the two turns and hook the springs on the little plate that the cable and springs attach to. So you should not have to remove the throttle body to tighten the springs if you screw up during the reinstall like I did. This was on a '91 AWD.

estoyaqui30 · Mar 15, 2016

The key to removing the two screws from the plate easily without destroying them is to use to correct screwdriver. These are metric screws, you need to use a JIS screwdriver. It is for lack of any better description a metric Philips screwdriver. The tip has a slightly different shape. I use them all of the time at work on all of the electronics at work.

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Can't remove the throttle body plate

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1990TSIAWDTALON

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