help removing y-pipe

[MOSHO92]

Im doing my rod bearings and cant seem to get off the y-pipe. I removed the 4 bolts from the headers to the pipe, but just cant budge the back bolts(where it meets the cat back). What am i supposed to be prying on? The 18mm bolts or the 15mm nuts. Ive used a half a can of pen.**** already and cant even get a squeak. any advice guys? Thanks

 

[SHOfun 93]

You are trying to disconnect the y pipe from the flex pipe, correct? You will need to hold onto the nuts and the bolt with a wrench and socket respectively.

Then just add MUCHO torque and it should bust loose eventually. Make sure you don't lose all the washers that will fall down on you when they get loose.

Also check the y-pipe to flex pipe gasket to make sure that it isn't worn or torn. Pieces might be flapping in the exhaust flow causing a buzzing noise. At least that was what was going on with mine...

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

I had they same problem. Mine was so damn rusted that NOTHING would pop the bolts loose. I even tried MAP gas. eek! I wound up just not even bothering with that joint. Instead, I disconnected the rubber exhaust hanger on the drivers side in front of the rear wheel and just let the whole setup sit on the ground.

It works for now. I have a flex pipe in the mail so when it gets here Ill just cut the bolts, and install the flex pipe. thumb

 

[jelloslug]

If you cut or break the bolts, you can get new ones in the "HELP" section of most autopart stores.

 

[Shoaz]

Since you have an MTX there is no flex pipe. The nuts on your Y-Pipe to Catback connection have tab stops, and if they've already rotated against the ****** no amount of torque is going to move them without breaking something. i.e., don't turn the nuts, turn the bolts (maybe you are, but I couldn't be certain from your description).

So turning the bolts should at least rotate the nuts with the tab stops back and forth. If you can rotate the nut against the tab stop and then it's stuck if you try to go furhter, then soak those dudes with your favorite penetrating oil. If that doesn't help a propane torch against the nut for a little bit might help (the usual disclaimers here about being mucho, mucho careful).

If you can't even get the nuts to turn a half-turn either way until the tab stops hit something by turning the bolt, then penetrating oil everywhere until you can at least get the bolts to turn the nuts. Once you get that far then if you're lucky you can get the nuts off by turning the bolts. If not, see the previous paragraph. wink

Hope that helps a little bit.

 

[BeatDaSHO]

Spray PB Blaster on the bolts once a day for a whole week. Then try getting them off. Worked for me. PB Blaster is the best!

Greg

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Id rather drag a sawsall under the car and be done with it shrug

 

[MOSHO92]

I was able to resolve this matter by placing my foot on the 15mm wrench i had on the nut, then using my entire body streangth and both hands for the 18mm bolt. Wow! im using tons of anti-sieze when i put this back together! Thanks for the tips.