I've replaced all the coolant/heater hoses with the exception of the 2 that run into the firewall on the passenger side underneath all the ABS stuff. Question is do I need to remove the ABS stuff in order to get to these hoses?

Thanks!

 

All you need to do is remove the ABS heat shield. Once you get this out of the way you can get to both of these hoses. I think there were 2 nuts and one bolt that had to come off, and then lift the ABS unit up just enough to take the shield off the two studs. DON'T loosen any brake lines and be sure to replace the heat shield.

p.s. - take a close look at the rubber grommets that seal the heater tubes where they go through the firewall. One of mine was really cooked from long-term exposure to the exhaust/turbo heat. I used some black RTV to repair and reseal the opening.

 

be careful handling the nipples..
more than enough pressure to them will distort em...

 

Changed them this weekend. Needed to remove 4 vertical bolts from the ABS unit as well as the nut on the inside of the shield in order to lift the ABS unit enough to get the shield out. Even still getting the hoses out was a real PITA. Due to how the "tabs" on the old clamps were positioned, I would up unbolting the hard heater pipe that runs along the passengers side of the engine compartment (front to back) to get the lower hose out. Took 3 hours to do (it always amazes me how much time I spend tinkering with my FD, but after personally performing the vacuum hose job, I'm pretty much game for just about anything) , but glad I did as the old hoses were really really soft. I've heard these hoses (like nearly all the other coolant and heater hoses on the FD, hence why I replaced all of them on my 104k mile car) are prone to failure due to their close proximity to the turbos.

 

All the heater hoses on the passenger side gave me trouble too as the tabs on the hose clamps were all pointing between the hardline and the chassis! I didn't have to remove the heat sheild but then again I had the turbos off at the time so it was probably much easier for me. I would definitely slit the old hose with a knife before removing it as the heater core nipples are thin and mine were pretty stuck.