Exhaust bolts...having a tough time getting them out

[Stallion]

Exaust bolts...having a tough time getting them out

Okay, I have to take out the whole exaust (to change the clutch), and today I had her up on the stands and trying to get the exaust out. Well, I'm having a bit of trouble. Just wrenching at them is not working. They are really on there. And, they are somewhat rusted.

So I used WD-40. That worked for a couple, but others are really tough. I even used a cheater bar. Still nothing. What can I do to get these bolts out?

And some of them are in really tight places. Any ideas?

Please help me as soon as possible, I need to get the exaust out.

Thanks.

Stallion

 

[drags1998]

Stallion, Let the WD40 sit for awhile, if you can get at them,tap on the nuts with a small hammer. this will help the WD40 penetrate. If not you have two choices, heat them or twist them. Hopefully tapping on them will do it!!!!!

 

[Robin7TFour]

HELLO, Try some PB BLASTER it does a better job of freeing rusted pieces. keep in mind, that too much force and you will twist the stud in half. then you'll be forced to drill and tap the hole. you may have to remove the manifolds and first sections of exhaust pipes.

fun with old cars.....

ROBIN

 

[Bob Chadwick]

HELLO, Try some PB BLASTER it does a better job of freeing rusted pieces. ROBIN

I had applied WD-40 on some stuck bolts and made no progress. The PB Blaster was much more effective.

 

[Robin7TFour]

BOBCHAD, you don't think we were seperated at birth or something. we do have a tendency to think alike!!!


robin

 

[JonM]

A small clue when you are taking rusted bolts out (or any bolt for that matter) ...if you can move them at all, loosen them a tiny bit-tighen them up a tiny bit- then loosen, tighten a little at a time...go slowly---and prey for a little luck. (use plenty of PB Blaster)

 

[Bob Chadwick]

BOBCHAD, you don't think we were seperated at birth or something. we do have a tendency to think alike!!!


robin

You know Robin, great minds and all that stuff.

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

heat the manifolds near the threads, then cool them with a shot of PB Blaster. the heat will suck in the oil far better than just spraying it on. if the bolts still don't come, try warming it and then loosening, just becareful not to burn yourself. Brian

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Stallion:

I have to give you a lot of credit for tackling the clutch job, which a lot of people would never attempt on their own.

If you end up snapping your studs off the manifold, it's a good idea to unbolt your exhaust manifolds and take them down to a muffler shop. They snap them off all the time and can drill and tap the holes so you can install a new set of studs.
I recommend getting the ones with brass nuts. I have taken my exhaust system off 3 or 4 times and they are easily removed over and over again. Don't worry about snapping off clamps, you are better off with new ones.
Be careful to support the joint at the catalytic converter, they can be weak after time as well as the Y-pipe.
I know the clutch is a big job, but you will learn things that will last a lifetime, and you can help others in the future.
Good luck!

 

[Stallion]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll stop on the way home and get some PB Blaster. I'm sure they will have this at any local auto store, right?

Okay, I'll keep you guys updated on progress. The streaming questions on everything will probably be a good sign of where I am in the job though.

 

[atmmac]

Stallion with those manifolds off it may be a good idea to throw on some headers. Theyll save you a little on gas and free up some HP. The Pb blaster does help i have used it many times. You may want to try a little mystery oil that works well too.

Good Luck,
Andy

 

[Stallion]

Sorry dude, at least for a couple of years now I'm going to keep her bone stock. After I throw headers on, then I'll want chambered exaust, and then I'll want high flow heads, and then I'll want...well you get the point. I don't have a job (caddying should start up again soon though) right now and I only have a couple of hundred dollars and that is just enough to keep her maintained, I'm sure you know.

Oh, and another thing...
And what do you usually do for those tight spaces? I don't think I can get a socket or wrench where the cat meets the pipe on both sides for the back two bolts.

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

Gearwrenches are your friends!!!

 

[Stallion]

Gearwrenches? What is that?

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

they look similar to your standard end wrenckes, but the box end has a ratcheting collar. it works like a ratchet, looks like a wrench. http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdgear01.html

 

[Stallion]

Oh dude I know what you are talking about. I never thought they were worth the money, though.

I really hope I don't have a huge problem getting the exaust off. Because you know as well as I that it will be just the beginning. Then comes the driveshaft, then the transmission, then....well you know how it is.

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

if you can spring for the gear wrenches, it is a good investment. Craftsman, Snap-on, Proto, Husky, just about everyone makes thier own little version of them. i like the ones that you can reverse the rotation with a flick of the lever. i hardly ever use my sockets anymore, much faster and easier on the wrists with the wrenches.

you'll get the exhaust, ain't nothin' but a thang. look at the bright side, the car will run without it! you might want to drain the tranny before pulling the driveline, it may save you a splash in the face when lowering the tranny. the tail shaft will hold a little trapped oil, so a couple tablespoons coming out with the driveline is normal. good luck, Brian

 

[Rain]

I always heard you could put coke a cola on a bolt, let it sit a while, and it would loosen off.

PB sounds like it works faster.

Good luck - !

 

[Robin7TFour]

STALLION, also look at getting a couple of deep-well universal sockets.craftman sells them. the flex of the universal and a long extension will help you get to the nut and still have room to put some torque on the ratchett..


what doesn't kill us,only makes us stronger.


ROBIN

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Just do it in stages Stallion and you won't have any problems. Bag your bolts, take pictures and drawings, etc. and everything will fall into place. You get frustrated, walk away and come back later. It will take longer this way but you will take the time to think about what you are doing and get the necessary help.

You will have a good feeling when it is all done.