1999 SSE L36. Is there some trick to removing the bolt/nut holding the throttle body bracket to the front head? I don't think the exhaust heat shield can be moved. It appears I need to remove the bracket to get at the nut behind it that bolts the TB to the UIM. The car runs great, I was just thinking I would pull the TB and see how dirty it is based on all the comments from members who have done it. 107,000 miles on the engine. Thanks in advance.

Yup, that bracket is a pain. Too hard to get to that bottom bolt.
What I did was remove the nut holding the bracket to the TB and then reach in from the firewall side & under the tb with a 9" socket extension and tap that bracket out (towards the front) of the way. It will pivot nicely on that bottom bolt.

I remember having to squeeze a small wrench behind the crossover pipe to loosen the bolt. I'm pretty sure the bracket has SLOTS not holes, so all you need to do is loosen it up and it'll slide. Do you have a new gasket? You may want to replace it with that many miles since it may be compressed too much to keep a good seal after you reinstall. By the time you pull the TB to just "check" you may as well clean it too!

Thanks for the info. I was sorta thinking it would rotate out of the way. I think I will give that a try. I'll get a gasket also. This car is not my driver so I can take things apart and let it sit. I will get a gasket from dealer on Monday. Anbody know the part number off the top of their head?

no need to get it from a dealer, most auto part stores stock them cheaper.

Do yourself a favor and get a t-15 torx security bit so you can remove your MAF sensor. Don't spray the cleaner with the MAF still in place

Thanks everyone. I have the torx security bit so that won't be a problem. Lots of auto parts stores around here so I should be able to find the gasket.

I can't get the #&*###!! bracket to move. Tried tapping it with the socket extension and hammer but no go. I can barely get a wrench down there but can't seem to get it on. Does anyone have a clue what size wrench that bolt takes? It is quite small.

My hunch says 7mm :?

As I recall, it'* 8MM.

I just left the damn thing off when I reassembled mine.