996 water pump replacement -HELP!!

[hemeoncdoc]

I have a 1999 996. I am in the process of replacing my water pump (engine on car). I have followed the factory manual, have reached the step to "remove" the old water pump. my question is this - HOW?? I cannot seem to pull it up and out, and it looks like it cannot go out the bottom behind the engine bracket. I have gone over the procedure again, to no avail. Do you need to pull the large coolant hose on the left to make space? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[FPB111]

I have not had to remove mine yet so I don't know the answer. I have read folks posts on Renntech.org and Rennlist.com about this and there was talk of removing a hose and/or flexing one (that had a plastic fitting that broke)
Try a post on one of those sites.

[Rrrockhound]

Some good info here:

Board Message

[hemeoncdoc]

Thank you for the information!! Some things are just not intuitive. I will battle it again tonight.

[spongerob1]

You have to remove the rear engine brace and lower the engine .

[hemeoncdoc]

Update - I was able to do it. The rigid metal pipe just beneath and to the side of the water pump is in fact connected to rubber hoses on either end. Three bolts mobilized the pipe, and disconnecting the large radiator hose "behind" the water pump (actually toward the front of the car) gave plenty of room to drop it out and replace it. No need at all to remove the engine!
Also - don't even try to do it without a 1/4 inch 10 mm extension socket.

Thanks for the suggestions. Happy to provide any photos or instructions if anyone needs it.