This is a second posting to the same issue posted yesterday. I could really use help on this. To recap: I've removed all bolts, nuts and brackets indicated by the tech manual but cannot remove the hanger beam; the right side of the beam has some movement but the center and driver's side remain frozen in place. I've searched everywhere to locate additional nuts/bolts that I might have overlooked but don't see anything. Please, if anyone can point me in the right direction on this, I'd be grateful. I've been out of work since January this year and I don't have any option beyond struggling through this project on my own...a real problem since I am truly a novice mechanic with limited abilities. Please, help if you can. Thanks so much!

R. Meier

 

See if this link helps you:

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...i-have-removed

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Redbull. I checked out the link but, unfortunately, it is a reiteration of the tech manual by the author. The steps required in that have already been executed and, you would think, permit the removal of the steering hanger beam. Alas, no such luck. It's still frozen in place at the center and left mounting areas. I do appreciate your doing the research, though.

Gratefully,

R. Meier

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I managed to get the Hanger Beam removed after removing MANY more bolts that called for in the tech manual (isn't that the way all these repair actions work?). I figured "smooth sailing beyond this" but, guess what? You got it, the single screw pointed out for the removal of the heater unit isnt' quite enough..I'm now searching for the hidden screws, cable-ties, spring clips, etc. etc.

Hope everyone is entering 2010 with better luck than I am.

Best to you all!

R. Meier

 

To all interested: I was able to remove the steering hanger beam, evaporator, heater control unit and (FINALLY) extract the heater core. To all those who are mechanically inclined and who perform such actions, you are gifted! For the amateurs out there, do not attempt this without some availability to ready guidance. There are a myriad of unidentified screws that you must locate, cables and "under the hood" components that - unless disconnected or removed - will not permit easy access to those hidden and obstructed pieces of hardware that you MUST get to. Putting it all back together is fairly straight forward once you've been up to your elbows in this car's structure. My most recent challenge is now to figure out certain cable harnesses that remain disconnected (I have no signal lights at the moment) and I find I'm now having to back track to the point of the evaporator's removal in order to access and reconnect the heater mix cable which I fully tested for working operation before I locked down the evap/heater unit/etc.

This is a monstrous endeavor which can inflict great frustration and time consumption on the novice who feels a telch manual will guide him/her safely through it all. My hat's off to those accepting the challenge and successfully overcoming the obstacles. I must admit, though, I've gained a tremendous level of knowledge in going through all this for which I'm grateful.