How can you pull the driver side wires at the opti without pulling the damper?

 

I don't think its happening. On my 92 I put the new wires on the new opti before I installed it. With my big hands I wasn't getting in there even with the damper off. But I tell you what, once you get it off the first time, clean and coat with anti-sieze its a dream to pull off later.

 

I've replaced the wires without pulling the damper. I usually pull the power steering pump loose to get some space, but it's doable.

 

I pulled my damper because I was changing the opti, but I don't think you need to pull it just to do the wires. If I were changing wires, I would pull the belt tensioner and the power steering pulley and as was mentioned, you will need to loosen the power steering pump bolts. Getting rid of the p/s pulley really opens up that area.

 

I just had my whole accessory bracket off and can tell you the best way to get the drivers side done after that.

Remove the wheel center skirt,tensioner,AC compressor and PS pulley( Advance has a puller to use for free) under the compressor are 2 10mm bolts that hold a loom. with all that stuff out of the way( just move compressor forward) you will be able to see everything.The dissasembly should take about 1/2 hour. The wires from the opti have a chaffe guard on them.Make sure you put it back on the right wires.You should be able to pull the wires from the opti and see they run behind the tensioner over the idler bracket into the compressor loom and into both looms above the plugs. You should be able to remove everything all at once now(except the 2 looms above the plugs no biggie carefully take the caps off(they can get brittle) and pop the wires out of them. You will have your wires with the chaffe guard and the compressor bracket and loom in your hands. Do one wire at a time and make it just like what you are taking out. I like using some masking tape to keep the opti boots in the right line up. put the whole bunch back in connect the opti plugs then the spark plugs. If you did it right the compressor loom should line right up and bolt it. Re assemble and fire it up.

Now you really do not have to remove the PS pulley but it is easy enough and it adds some room to move and get at the opti boots easier. Plus it makes it easier to get the tensioner on (I hate the tensioner). There is absolutely no reason to remove the balancer.

Oh and don't forget the di-electric grease on both ends of the wires it makes it easier to feel the pop when they go on right.

 

I recently replace my wires with little problem. I had removed the inner fender and drive belt, then removed (as unbolted from the brackets but left all the lines intact) the AC compressor and PS pump. I then used a pair of plug wire pliers to pull the boots from the opti unit. When replacing the wires make sure you use dielectric grease on the boots. Makes it easier to seat them.