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[Malcolm_D]

I think that I have the name right, the pipe I am referring to goes across the front of the engine close to the water pump pulley, it is bright in appearance and has a bracket welded to it. This bracket is connected to a support bracket which is held by one of the alternator bolts, between the two brackets there is a rubber spacer to allow for movement.
Now the problem - the rubber spacer has given up and I need to remove the part fixed to the support bracket. I cannot get it out in situ and thought I could remove the nut from the alternator bolt which is holding it in place, the trouble is I cannot find the other end of this bolt  Does anyone know if I have to access it from underneath the car? I also get the impression that it is a short bolt and does not run the length of the alternator. I would be ok if I could get the metal backing of the spacer off but there is limited space and stuff all to get hold of to then turn it 
While there does not appear to be any significant movement in the pipe and maybe does not need the support bracket it must be there for a reason and I do not fancy the bracket or pipe getting intimate with the cambelt etc... 

[Darth Loo-knee]

I think that I have the name right, the pipe I am referring to goes across the front of the engine close to the water pump pulley, it is bright in appearance and has a bracket welded to it. This bracket is connected to a support bracket which is held by one of the alternator bolts, between the two brackets there is a rubber spacer to allow for movement.
Now the problem - the rubber spacer has given up and I need to remove the part fixed to the support bracket. I cannot get it out in situ and thought I could remove the nut from the alternator bolt which is holding it in place, the trouble is I cannot find the other end of this bolt  Does anyone know if I have to access it from underneath the car? I also get the impression that it is a short bolt and does not run the length of the alternator. I would be ok if I could get the metal backing of the spacer off but there is limited space and stuff all to get hold of to then turn it 
While there does not appear to be any significant movement in the pipe and maybe does not need the support bracket it must be there for a reason and I do not fancy the bracket or pipe getting intimate with the cambelt etc... 

SAI pipe you are talking about Malc
The bolt at the top of the alternator is around 5" long. You can get an 11mm spanner on the opposite quiet easy from the top, but I would suggest getting a ratchet onto the nut at the front (untightening) then put your fingers at the back of the alternator to feel where you need to put the spanner or just put a bit of hair around it

[Malcolm_D]

Front end nut is a 16mm - dead easy to get to, have already tried to find the other end, leaving the skin off 3 knuckles there as evidence  Will have another go at the weekend in the daylight, are you sure you are not double jointed? 

[Darth Loo-knee]

Front end nut is a 16mm - dead easy to get to, have already tried to find the other end, leaving the skin off 3 knuckles there as evidence  Will have another go at the weekend in the daylight, are you sure you are not double jointed? 

Suppose I could be as I get myself into some postions 

You can remove the alternator and remove it from the top so it can be done... so in my best School Teacher Voice "Please Try Harder!" 

[Malcolm_D]

Now that is harsh! Here I am struggling alone in the dark, with Rik wailing in the background, glancing at my 'less than pefectly white' expansion tank and all you can do is make cheap teacher jokes - I am hurt! (But I will try harder with my homework Sir) 

[Darth Loo-knee]

Now that is harsh! Here I am struggling alone in the dark, with Rik wailing in the background, glancing at my 'less than pefectly white' expansion tank and all you can do is make cheap teacher jokes - I am hurt! (But I will try harder with my homework Sir) 

Turn Rick down only slightly, have a cuppa then lean on the front of the car then put your bashed pinkies to the back of the alternator...
If you try your best, no-one can ask anymore

[Marks DTM Calib]

Ignore it, seen loads with this broken (although my own is still fine!).

[alank46]

Ditto, mine's been broken for the last 6 years.

Ignore it, seen loads with this broken (although my own is still fine!).

[Malcolm_D]

Ditto, mine's been broken for the last 6 years.

Ignore it, seen loads with this broken (although my own is still fine!).

Thanks for the advice & reassurance, sounds like it has been over-engineered which was my first impression 

[Malcolm_D]

I think that I have the name right, the pipe I am referring to goes across the front of the engine close to the water pump pulley, it is bright in appearance and has a bracket welded to it. This bracket is connected to a support bracket which is held by one of the alternator bolts, between the two brackets there is a rubber spacer to allow for movement.
Now the problem - the rubber spacer has given up and I need to remove the part fixed to the support bracket. I cannot get it out in situ and thought I could remove the nut from the alternator bolt which is holding it in place, the trouble is I cannot find the other end of this bolt  Does anyone know if I have to access it from underneath the car? I also get the impression that it is a short bolt and does not run the length of the alternator. I would be ok if I could get the metal backing of the spacer off but there is limited space and stuff all to get hold of to then turn it 
While there does not appear to be any significant movement in the pipe and maybe does not need the support bracket it must be there for a reason and I do not fancy the bracket or pipe getting intimate with the cambelt etc... 

SAI pipe you are talking about Malc
The bolt at the top of the alternator is around 5" long. You can get an 11mm spanner on the opposite quiet easy from the top, but I would suggest getting a ratchet onto the nut at the front (untightening) then put your fingers at the back of the alternator to feel where you need to put the spanner or just put a bit of hair around it

Got it done Daz but I'm starting to think that you are deluded - 'quite easy' it was not!  The bolt head is an E12 torx and it was a pig to find, dropped the torx at first because my fingers are not treble jointed like yours and had to removed an earth strap to get the damn thing out, finally managed to remove the nut and hence remove the bracket. Not going to bother replacing it as per the advice, have just left it off and replaced it with a suitable washer. Thanks for help.