whooper20

so as i was trying to remove the 2 bolts that connect the cat to the downpipe using both open and closed end wrenches didnt work.. even after multiple applications of pb blaster it didnt budge and all it did was round off the bolt and my bolt is on the cats side so i cant put in a socket to use a rachet cause theres NO room..

did anyone have this problem or know how i could solve it? i dont really want to go to a shop to get it removed and i heard theres special sockets for rounded bolts but ive never used them and im sketchy if they work..

OneJay

iTrader: (14)

You're gonna need to go to an exhaust shop and have them blowtorch those bolts out.

INTIMAZY

iTrader: (5)

Drill them out or use a cutoff wheel. Replace studs.

If your bolts are anything like mine, a volcano wouldn't be able to heat those suckers enough.

edarte

This may not work for you if your bolt does not have a nut on the end but maybe...

Often really heating the bolt/nut with a propane torch will loosen it enough to easily remove. (Of course you need to be careful using a torch around a car)
or
There is also a tool that should be available at most auto shops that works on bad nuts. The one I have sort of looks like a nut cracker and is about the size of a ratchet handle. You put the end over the bad nut and tighten it.As it tightens it cuts into the nut and eventually splits it apart.

If this would not work for you, like already suggested, I would head to a shop with a torch and get it cut off.

Nova

iTrader: (21)

people call the socket your looking for different things i know them as turbo sockets and they work very well. i would suggest bringing your car somewhere that has a lift and a torch as heat normally will do the trick

boost2pt4

Get a right angle die grinder and a cut off wheel. Now,put on safety glasses and start cutting.had the same problem,that worked well.

whooper20

So I was going to try and let the exhaust get hot and then try it but I might just save a lot of time and have them remove and replace them to make it easier for myself how expensive can it really be, thanks guys

Egone

Either cut it off or heat it up and use vice grips

whooper20

i ended up going to a shop and vice grips and power drills didnt work so they ended up cutting it off for 20$ cause they spent a cool minute trying to take it off before trying to cut it off

Sullen0313

i have always blown them out with an acedaline torch... i've never had one that i couldn't get out...

MarkBMC

Shops normally just cut them off... most of the time you round it off and destroy the bolt so it's unusable anyway and time is money. I cut mine off with a cut off wheel.

StiCk3

iTrader: (5)

i normally cut them off if they get stuck. Either way you want to replace exhaust nuts and bolts after you remove them, especially if they've been on the car since day one.