GCNTSi

Can anyone tell me the trick to removing the intake manifold bolt on the rear passanger side, the one that attaches a bracket, from below, to the manifold. BTW its a 99 RX300 AWD.

I've been at it for over an hour on this one bolt alone, maybe because its dark out, I hope I have better luck in the daylight but its a real PITA to get to that bolt.

I have been trying with wrenches, socket wrenches, form above, and from below, cant seem to break it loose. A regular wrench can't be moved to loosen the bolt because it hits the bracket itself. And I can't seem to keep the 14mm socket on the bolt, with a socket wrench. I need three arms

I hope somebody is familiar with removing this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Garrett.

salimshah

I have not removed the cover, but a trick I have learnt over time is to loosen the most difficult bolt/screw first and the others afterwords.

If loosen others first, the hold down force, trasfers to one bolt and then it needs extra effort to loosen it.

I highly reccomend torquing the keyed lugnut last when installing wheels and loosening the same first.

Salim

99jewel

Have exact same problem- there are 2 bolts on back of upper intake manifold that hold it to a bracket. I got the upper nut off with a 14mm socket wrench, but what a PITA- there is very little clearance between bracket & firewall. However, no way I can even reach the lower one, and there is even less clearance with firewall. I have every socket, extension, bar, swivel head, etc., but no way. I am right in the middle of disassembly for knock sensors, and need help ASAP!! Thanks!

FrayKay

A swivel socket and a really long extension maybe?

Nad1370

I don't remove the bottom bolt on the bracket. Just the top 14mm bolt.
After that I just work the manifold out of the way.
Maybe even push the bracket toward the firewall for more clearance if neccesary.

Barryst

Hi Guys!

I've been there!

- Craftsman used to make 3/8"mid-length sockets at one time, thats what I used when I did my knock sensors. Another thing they currently make is a set of adaptors that snap in the back of your standard sockets, it has a hex that sticks out of the back of the socket, now you can use a 14mm wrench on that hex.- It basically makes your sockets "low profile" without the need for the ratchet.-(getting those bolts out is the toughest part of the job)
Good Luck!
When doing the knock sensors, are you changing the bypass hose as well?? If not, BE CAREFUL
Its a little brittle, and will leak if only slightly damaged.

Barry-st

99jewel

Fellow posters- you're not going to believe (well, you probably will if you have been there before) what I discovered after 1 1/2 days of trying to get the lower bolt out. It's a 10mm, not 14mm like the top!!! Same bracket, same part of the manifold- dang! I used a 1/4" bar with socket at full 90deg. until I could get my offset box end wrench back there. Thanks to all of you-
FrayKay- tried swivel socket & extension- won't work because of angle.
Nad1370- wish I had read your post before I took it all the way out- now it's going to be a PITA to put back in.
Barryst- ditto- wish I read before- sounds like the adapter may work.

Incidentally, purchase a shop manual if you can- I couldn't afford one & got the Haynes manual at Advance/Parts America. What a piece of scheise. I DO NOT recommend it, as it is not even close to being accurate (for RX300 or the Highhglander).

Back to the shade tree I go & thanks again to all of you!!!

99jewel

Update: Nad1370- right on the mark! The lower 10mm does not even bolt to the manifold, so leave it in. Just take the 14mm top one out. Finally finished the knock sensor replacement. Great satisfaction knowing the job was done right with new hose, wiring harness (take air filter box out-much easier to connect lower end of harness), plugs and fluids. Thanks again to all!

rk69rn

Hey, would you care to mention where you sourced your parts and the price? I'm looking to do the same and any info would help.

Thanks,
RK

99jewel

RK: Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I ordered all of the parts online from Conicelli Toyota- got them in 2 or 3 days:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...OEM&siteid=840

If you need part numbers, give me a shout back.