Rep Power: 252

I am trying to remove the three bolts on the back end of the cat to install my axel back exhaust. The problem I am running into is that they are caked with so much rust nothing I do is getting them off. Also, because of my efforts one of the bolts is stripped nearly round. I sprayed PB Blaster on them last night to let it soak in but this has no effect. Besides taking it some place does anyone have any ideas on how to break the rust?

 
Rep Power: 475

im surprised pb blaster didnt work, spray more and use a breaker bar if there is room

 
Rep Power: 252

I used my ghetto breaker(a pair of vice grips tightened to the end of the ratched) with no luck. There's not a whole lot of room under my car. What I'm afraid of is if the rust has corroded the metal so much that it is actually fused. I am tempted to try that Craftsman bolt out thing. It's meant for stripped rusted bolts. Sorta like a regular socket but it has cutting fins that dig into the bolt. But if my dad's industrial drill couldn't even break it I doubt a regular drill and the bolt out thing wouldn't.

Man this project is slowly begining to suck.

 
Rep Power: 475

yea ive seen this gator grip thing before, its for stripped bolts but if that doesnt work just take it to an exhaust shop, they will get it done in like 2 seconds

 
Rep Power: 252

How much would they charge me though? Cause alls I need are those three bolts removed. Also, would they let me drive off with those three bolts removed or would they say "We'll do it but only if we install your exhaust"

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I'm liking the "Let them install it" routine. Try a local shop or will a Midas be able to accomidate?

 
Rep Power: 475

try a local shop or whatever you want. Im sure you can say to loosen them than put the bolts back in loosely so you can take them back out easily but its up to the shop. If i were you i would just have them do the whole thing....i just realized this also, your installing an axle back exhaust and your trying to take off your cat bolts??? there is no need too

 
Rep Power: 261

When I did my exhaust, I soaked them in liquid wrench for a while, and when that didn't work I Srarted the car and let the exhaust heat up a bit. They came off after that - just don't burn yourself on the hot pipes

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah what Jcem said, if that doesn't work get a propane torch or oxy-acy welder set just to heat em up. The heat works wonders on any stubborn bolts.

 
Rep Power: 252

I went to a local shop and they want 105 to do it. 1.5 hours labour. I think that's a decent trade off considering I have spent around 9 hours trying to get those gorramn bolts off.

Perhaps I'm a bit confused about what it really is also. It's got three 'pipes' one is the exhaust end. One is what goes in place of the resonator and the other connects the resonator to the cat. Is that a cat-back then?

 
Rep Power: 336

dude those do NOT come off. i repeat they do NOT come off. i replaced my cat with a high flow. the bolts do NOT come off. go get some 32/1 14mm bolts and nuts and those will work fine.

 
Rep Power: 252

Okay then... What am I supposed to do then to have the first pipe connect to the cat? One is has two bolt holes and the other has 3 so it's the only place that it could possible attach. Anyways, I'm having someone much more competant in their ability do it. I gave up long ago.

 
Rep Power: 336

um...the catback exhaust should also have 3 holes for the bolts to fit right in. the nuts are on the back side of the car. meaning the bolts face the trunk of the car. those are removable. the bolts are not. the pipe should have 3 holes if its made for our cars...

 
Rep Power: 252

So, I just got it back from the shop. They did a fantastic job. Total after tax was 115 and change. They put on new bolts, nuts, gaskets. The only problem with it is it hangs to the left too much. It may have been because the previous owner bent it to fit his body kit.

Sure I could have laboured and did it my self for free, but I've learned that there are time to admit defeat and take it to a professional. Although I shouldn't have that problem when I get my hi flow cat and my header. I hope.

 
Rep Power: 475

very nice

 
Rep Power: 321

you should have gotten that craftsman rounded bolt remover thing. it worked when i stripped my header heat shield bolt. it was only like $20. anyways.... pics?