Problem w/exhaust studs...

[TYSHO]

I know many have probably ran into this problem I am having, but this one has been by far the worse of all the SHO's I have owned or worked on.

Basically, when someone works with the exhaust and removes the y-pipe, somehow they end up spreading out the exhaust studs apart like: / \ when they're suppose to be like: l l

With that said, there is no way I can get the y-pipe bolted back up. I had a hard time pulling it down, had to yank the crap out of it and pry.

So, is there any special type of tool to draw these studs inward?

I tried to see if a c-clap would do it, but there is no room what so ever. I then tried a set of pliers, but it looked like it was about to chew up the pipe, since that was the only other place to put the other end, and make for a bad seal when the y-pipe is later installed.

Any other ideas, or solutions?

I hate ATX y-pipes!

 

[RAYJAY]

I would just repace the studs and be done with it

Jeff

 

[TYSHO]

I do not want to remove the studs, unless it is a must, because then I would have to remove the manifolds if they snapped. If there is something that could easily draw them back inwards, it would be great.

Last resort would be taking the manifolds off the parts car, but I do not look forward to putting much time in something this pathetic.


Edit: Usually when the studs are bent, they "will" snap when you try to remove them, mainly where it is bent at.

 

[SHOman247]

don't try and pry them or hammer them b/c they do BREAK!!!! Learned that 1 from experence

 

[TYSHO]

don't try and pry them or hammer them b/c they do BREAK!!!! Learned that 1 from experence

Well some how, they pry'd their self out!

 

[SASHO91]

brian. me and my friend had the same problem on his 95 atx. and also mine, but mine was not as bad...

We took matches (as i didnt have my mini torch with me, ) heated one up, and pryed on it. took a few times with the matches, but we got it... the mtx is alot easier for the rear, and even the front... but the rear studs were the ones bent out on my friends 95atx...
but this does work... i have done it atleast 4 times now...

i dont know how that happens to them... the only thing i can think of, is all of the heating/cooling cycles the manifold goes through, would cause that.

if you dont have a mini torch, they are like 10 bucks from pep boys. and they run on a lighter.... very handy tool.

oh just to give you an example, the spread of the studs was more than a 1/4'' ... the ****** almost didnt go back on, because it has the lip on it, and it would barely clear.

 

[back2SHO]

i had the same problem on my '93 MTX during a recent clutch job...i ended up drilling out the holes in the flanges just enough to be able to work it up there. it's not a perfect fix, but it worked.

-t.

 

[TYSHO]

Well call me lazy, but now a week later I was finally motivated with another member along side offering help. We pulled the y-pipe down and one easy fix crossed my mind, but I don't know why it never crossed my mind before. I grabbed my cheater pipe for the ratchet and place it on the studs, then pry'd them inwards. My y-pipe flanges fit now!

 

[Venom SHO s7]

" I grabbed my cheater pipe for the ratchet and place it on the studs, then pry'd them inwards. My y-pipe flanges fit now! "


I was actually going to suggest exactly that, thats the only way i was able to put my y pipe back, but i read your thread too late to help you out.

Next time you take the y pipe off, as youre taking off the nuts, make sure you're holding your ratchet directly under the nut, especially when youre putting stress on it to break the nuts lose. If you dont, thats how youll end up bending the studs.