Water Pump help Carrier will not budge

[rhkwon]

Guys,

I'm having a hell of a time getting my carrier to move away from the engine. I've followed the directions in this DIY: http://p-car.com/996/diy/waterpump/

I have the car off the ground on jackstands. Removed everything. Also drained the coolant, undone the thermostat and water pump hoses.

I have loosened the 2 15mm nuts that attach to the carrier and have raised the engine with a piece of wood under the jack right under the engine pan but the carrier won't budge on the driver side bolt. The passenger side of the carrier moves freely away from the bolt. I raised the engine even higher and still the driver side won't move backwards. I even jacked up the engine to the point the rear jack point was off the jacks! What am I doing wrong? Should I take a hammer and try to bang out the carrier on drivers side toward the bumper? I'm afraid of stripping the bolt.

The DIY indicated to put the jack under the "engine jack point" in front of the engine pan and slightly raise? The Pelican DIY indicates to just slightly raise the engine.

I do remember last year after I replaced my engine mounts, the driver side tailpipe was hanging down a bit more than the passenger side but after awhile, it settled and everything is now even. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

I'm also struggling with the right lower 10mm water pump bolt. Can't get the thing out. Maybe with the carrier loosened it will come out easier?

If I can't remove the carrier forward, can I still get the water pump out if I remove the thermostat housing and the hard coolant pipes? I'm replacing the thermostat housing and all the hoses anyway.

Any suggestions? Been struggling all afternoon with this **** thing.   I also posted on Rennlist and Pelican.  That's how desperate I am.

Edited May 2, 2019 by rhkwon