I tried to swap out both my primary o2 sensors today in hopes that my random misfire code would stop popping up. Also, I got the motor mount subframe bushings so I thought I would do those at the same time. So I took out the crossmember which exposed the front 02 very nicely and popped that one out no problem. I reinstalled the crossmember as it was not going to help or hinder me one way or the other. So far so good. So I try to undo the o2 closest to the firewall and woohoo it comes undone with a little effort. But as you can see I have a major problem. Seems that my bung for the firewall header is a wee bit off location. I need to turn the sensor about 2 or 3 more turns (just a guess) before it will come out. But the tail end of it is hitting part of the drive shaft support/bearing(?).

Any ideas to get this sucker out?

 

cut it out?

thats a lot of rust!!

 

Yeah but how's he going to get the new one in?

 

can u loosen the exhaust i know it will be time consuming but other than dont really know.

 

Resize that photo.

 

I thought about cutting it out also, but I'd have the problem of installing the new one with the same restriction. I tried prying on the y-pipe but since it is attached to the engine which is attached to the tranny which is where the bracket is bolted to... well you get the idea, if I move something everything moves with it. Looks like I hve to remove the passenger side axle and that bearing/support to do the swap.

Also loosening the bolts on the flange of the y-pipe is going to be a PITA because they are almost impossible to reach without the right tools thanks to the fancy curve that makes the headers equal length.

 

is that an original sensor? have u looked at the sensor ur going to replace it with cuz i know some times aftermarket sensors are just a bit shorter(not all at least some of the ones i have replaced) and if that the case u can hack some of that one off to remove it and replace it with the new one

 

I already bought the OEM for replacement

 

man i dont know what to tell u then. i hate these situations

 

depending on which way it needs to move, simply unbolt the motor mounts and either jack up the engine or let it down a bit to give yourself the clearance.

Other option would be to go to a muffler shop and have them weld a new bung on in a more accessable location and plug the old one

 

push it away from what its hitting and keep turning it will just come out! hopefully!

 

Moving the motor doesn't help, as I said before, the motor is mounted to the tranny, this part of the drive shaft is held to the tranny by a bracket/bearing support. So if the motor moves, so does everything else. I tried it when I had the crossmember in halfass. I don't have the proper wrenches to loosen the bolts at the rear flange. When i get this out I will try to dremmel a slot but for now it looks like I have to remove the 3 bolts holding that bracket in place. I gave up trying to get it out tonight because it has started to rain and I don't have a garage.

Dandymax is helping me this weekend to replace my front control arms, so since most of the front end parts will already be off I should have better access to the bracket bolts.

 

sorry, guess I didn't read closely enough

 

Did you try loosening the Y pipe? You could go to Budget Exhaust, they could do it in few minutes and you could put your new sensor in...

 

I didn't try loosening the y pipe because it is a nasty design to work on without the right tools.

 

I agree with Irish. Bring it by a exhaust shop and just have them install a new bung at a better location and plug the old one. It shouldn't cost that much at all and only take about 20 mins.

 

I can tell you right now that there is no freaking way anyone is going to get a tig torch up there. Let alone a drill to put a new hole in there. I can barely get my hand in there to touch the o2 sensor. It's going to take a lot longer than 20 minutes to remove the rear header, drill a new hole, weld a bung and reinstall the header. If it was that easy I would do it myself. (yes I know how to tig weld)

 

Then just leave that old O2 there and install a new one at a better location. (Making sure harness reaches)

 

as far as the old connection, just cut the wire at the sensor (if you can reach wire cutter in there), install new one, plug it in, and leave that difficult sonb*tch where it is.. it seems like your only option right about now.. question... how the hell did it get like that?

 

There is no better location. It needs to be rotated a few degrees from where it is...


Anyway it doesn't matter anymore. I went to dandymax's place today and we had to remove the passenger side axle to get it out.

 

^^You have Dan near by for help? Lucky bas#*$*

 

it's about an hour drive for me, but well worth it.

 

wow, that sure is one dirty bung.

I'd remove the stock part in the way and just replace the o2 sensor rather than make a new bunghole/weld on a nut, and call it good.

Might take a few more hours, but so what?

 

talk about a real pita, hope I dont ever have to go through that.