Interior Heater Core Nuts... help

[doom-wagon]

Hi all,

New to this site... and to FSJs. I picked up a 1988 Grandwagoneer and now I am trying to replace the heater core.

The heater core housing is almost out except for the 2 nuts located on the inside of the vehicle on the passenger side of the firewall.

I think i can see one of the nuts behind 2 hoses which are coming through the fire wall (are these going to the Evaporator Core?). The only problem is that i am unable to get to that nut never mind see the other nut which i presume is above this one. Also there is NO way i can fit my hand up there either... it is one tight fit!!

You see the two hoses are in the way and there is no way I can bend them out of the way. It also doesn't look like these hoses can be removed easily.

In an attempt to gain better access to these nuts I was considering removing the bottom right half of the dash where one of the blower motors (these vehicles have 2 right?) and the E-core is located. However It seems as thought it will drop down fairly easily.

However prior to digging deep into my rig I wanted to see if anyone had a better suggestion.

Any help is much appreciated.... it sure is getting cold up here, brrrrrrr!!

Thanks allot in advance!

[Gwamp]

THe easiest way is to drop that unit down out of your way. You will have one heck of a time getting to those nuts with it there.

[mountaincrusher]

I'm Looking at the repair manual now, but it does'nt say how to gain access, guess its a use your imagination trip, either that or a knuckle ripper, but i agree with gwamp, dropping the ac unit out of the way will help alot smile.gif

[irbob]

I know where your coming from. You can just barely touch the bottom one and the top one is out of reach so you have to drop the AC unit and presto, you will be able to get those nuts off. JUst replaced the one in my grandfathers chero due to it leaking. Have fun.

[moondog]

Those nuts are put on at the factory because the heater is put in first. Those nuts hold the heater assy. until the a/c is put on. It is very common on lots of vehicles. When I worked in heat and a/c on cars we called them the nuts from h*ll. lossen a/c and should be able to get them off. Good luck

[Bob Barry]

I've done this before, and I have to do it again (inlet tube on my new heater-core gave out over Christamas). Remove the left duct, remove all the retaining screws and the rear support bracket, drop the A/C unit enough to reach over it and get a 7/16" deep-socket on those two studs. One stud (top, I believe) will have a nut on top holding the A/C support bracket, then another nut holding the actual heater-core on. Once you pull the box, it's easy to unbolt the two halves and replace the old core. Only tricky thing is getting that A/C support bracket back on the upper stud at the proper angle. "Close enough" is good enough.

[mdill]

Like Bob said, drop the a/c unit, not hard just have to start on the drivers side
to get the cross over tube out of the way. The unit gets out of the way without
having to disconnet any of the hoses, just takes and extra 1/2 hour over what
you thought it would.

Mike D.

[doom-wagon]

Thanks allot guys!!

Now I can finally get the defroster working. It has been a pain in the *** trying to drive and clear the inside of the windshield with an ice-raper.

[Bob Barry]

I just did mine this afternoon; That extra support bracket is on the top stud.

also forgot; you have to use a T25 or T30 torx-head bit to unscrew the 2wd/4wd switch as well.

I've got the job down to under an hour.

Cold out there today!!! :(

[Zac]

You probably shoudnt but after taking the ones on the inside out I just leave mine off. I havent had any problems yet. you might even be able to put the bottom one back on and just leave the top nut off. Just a thought.

[shadowfax101]

Zac, that is what I was thinking about doing since I will have to do mine in a week or so.

[Bob Barry]

Once you've got the clearance to take the nuts off, it's no big deal to just leave the A/C unit dropped until you cinch it back up. Hopefully, you won't be needing to drop the A/C unit to get at them.

Anyway, dropping it is only a ten-minute job. It really is easy; I did it this afternoon in our balmy 25ºF weather, and didn't even get very chilly. smile.gif

[fitron74]

doom-wagon,
Welcome to the forum. Yes,you have to drop the A/C duct and A/C motor to remove the cursed heater box nuts under the dash. I know. Just did it. Get yourself a Haynes manual for your FSJ. It will bequite helpful for any future repairs. Got mine at Auto-Zone. This spring I plan to tear out the entire A/C system in my '87 GW so I don't have to work around it anymore. The A/C never worked anyhow and I won't miss it. Anyone need any A/C parts?
Fitron74

[Bob Barry]

What color? I might swing by and pick up what you've got. I'd actually like to re-install A/C on my Cherokee.

[fitron74]

Bob Barry,
The interior under-dash ducts are tan colored.
Fitron74

[Bob Barry]

Hmmm, I'm heading to Ohio in July. Maybe I'll swing through, if the parts are still around then.