TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Hey guys, i'm in the process of changing my headers and engine mounts and i ran into a major snag. I can't seem to get the two 14mm bolts off of the metal mount into the engine. It's the two bolts on both sides that are to the front of the car. There is a heat shield/ gaurd thing in the way so i can't get a socket in there. I've literally tried every combination of rachet's sockets and extensions and i really don't want to strip it. I've literally been working on these bolts for the last two hours. I'm VERY frustrated right now. I need help!

Here's some pics:

OT0814

iTrader: (4)

could you try a ratchet wrench? might work since its flatter and does the same thing as a ratchet

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The problem is that most of them are 12 points. I have flexhead ratcheting wrenches that come in handy, but I don't use them on bolts like these. If you can't get them out now when they have 6 corners, wait til you try getting them out when they're round.

OT0814

iTrader: (4)

lol never tried working on that part of my car... just was an idea but guess that makes sense...

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

is it that you cant get to it or just hard to turn and it wont brake loose? i think the Shield may be thin enough for you to bend to give you more play room. if you can get a long extension to reach and attach it to an impact wrench it should do the trick. Whats the torque spec on those? cause if its more then 30ft-lbs it will be difficult braking them loose in that small space without leverage.

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for the help guys! I'm still stuck on these damn nuts. It's been very frustrating. The problem is the angle, you can't really get it on perfectly flush without running the risk of stripping. As far as bending the heat shield, you can really get anything over it to bend it. And the black shield is very thick. I'm on my way to sears to get some more tools. Anybody in socal wanna help? Haha if I can't get it this time I'm just guna toe it to my mechanic.

Btw. I have no power tools. Just been using hand tools. And theres no room or leverage for a ratcheting wrench.

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

I see, patience is key, youll get it. See if you can get a long pry bar to move the shield just enough to give you more room.

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

So I got both the motors mounts off on each side and the new headers bolted on the passenger side. And I've even taken all but ONE freaking bolt off from the driver side. It's the second one from the front on the top. Nothing fits in between due to the dipstick heat shield.

Any ideas guys!? Nothing's working.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Bend the dipstick heat shield. You can always bend it back afterwards. I used a pry bar to collapse it.

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Whatd you use to get the nut off? Just a wrench? I've cut through about half of the heatshield with a dremel and can't really get the bolt to break. How'd you do it?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

You don't have a 6 point offset wrench?

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

No I don't. I've beento sears,pep boys, autzone and harbor freight. I only have non offset star closed end wrenches.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

You didn't see my post in the other thread?



This ratchet WILL fit in there. The only downside is that that ratchet is not long so you will need more leverage. Use a bit of arm muscle and the nut should come off. It's the only tool that will seat onto the nut properly. There is a lip around the flange that prevents most wrenches from sitting flush with the nut.

It's $50 at Sears for the whole set, but most Sears customer buy and return afterwards. It's almost like a big rental store now I bought my set a while ago but I ended up keeping it because it comes in handy. They have an adapter that you can slide on so it can accept regular sockets too. I use this ratchet for when I need to get into tight spot since the socket/ratchet combo is not as thick. I refuse to do another header job without it.

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

I went to sears and didn't see that there. Do all sears have them? I saw that in your thread but thought it was for taking off a stud. Oops!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

What city are you in? Carlsbad?