apex'i dual install

[luey02]

Besides using wd-40 and a ratchet, what else I can do to take off those rusted bolts?!  The problem is the rust made the bolts like they're stripped...... I can't even put on the correct size socket..  damn..

those of you have done the install, plz help.
thanks

[gschroeder78]

I tried long and hard with an imapct wrench and had no luck. Bring it to a shop and they'll probably put it on for under $100.
I don't know if anyone has gotten those off on their own yet.

Good luck

[transient]

For one thing, WD40 isn't going to do anything but make your pliars slip. You need a penetrating lube, one that will get by all the rust and shit.

Do you have a heat gun or a blow torch? More than likely, you're going to have to heat up those bolts to loosen them and then get at them with a pair of locking pliars.

[anthony240]

I took them off with a lot of WD40 and a torque wrench. It's not recommended to use the torque wrench for loosening, but it works well.

[luey02]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (transient @ Mar. 30 2002,8:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">For one thing, WD40 isn't going to do anything but make your pliars slip. You need a penetrating lube, one that will get by all the rust and shit.

Do you have a heat gun or a blow torch? More than likely, you're going to have to heat up those bolts to loosen them and then get at them with a pair of locking pliars.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
so what lube do you recommend? &nbsp;shops like mineke here said they refuse to put on aftermarket exhausts. &nbsp;And refuse to let me drive away without a catback.. &nbsp;

how much you guys paid for installation? &nbsp;tell you this right now I aint pay'n more than 20 for it.. &nbsp;no way in hell

[240meowth]

personally, i didn't run into any trouble installing my exhaust. &nbsp;but i've heard you can use heat gun to heat the bolt up, it'll be easier to lossen?

[MrMigs]

Lemme add some detail to 240Meowth's post. You could either drill out the screw, or you could heat treat it.

Go to any local hardware store and ask if they sell pencil torches. Basically, you'll see a foot-long bottle with a 5 inch tip at the end.

You could use either propane or MAPP gas (hotter). I think propane should do the job. Basically, you're supposed to heat the bolt enough so that the heat makes the bolt expand. It's supposed to break the connection between the bolt and the thread... when the bolt cools, it should be easier to unscrew.

If you can't get the torch method to work, the next thing to do would be to drill out the bolts. You'll have to drill through the center of the bolt, then either use what is called an "easy out" to pull the bolt out, or you could saw the bolt in half from the inside out.

I had a stipped tranny drain plug on my car once. The shop i took it to drilled thru the hole, and let the tranny oil come out. But then, the mechanic took a metal file and he filed the screw off from the inside out.

[sil80]

I would just take it to a local shop and have them cut it. It will save you a lot of time and anger towards your car. Cost you like 20 to 40 bucks and cut nuckles. Just catch them when there opening and they should be able to slide you in and out in like 15 mins. Then go home and bolt it up.
Also ask them for replacement bolts.

[tnord]

those things are stainless steel and almost impossible to get off. i tried a hacksaw, dremel, and a sawsall to no avail. had to take it to midas and have them get out the torch and cut the suns-a-bitches off cost me $20

are you guys sure these things aren't welded on? i broke the head off of the bolts with my breaker bar. and there isn't any nuts or washers or anything to hold it on, i couldn't knock em out with a hammer or chisel or punch or anything.

[Sick240]

I'm confused, are you talking about the bolts from the exhaust manifold to the cat, or the cat-back? On my 90 the cat back bolts unscrewed with eaze, just a 3/8" drive ratchet, no breaker bars or anything. But when I was bolting up my header, I broke off one of the bolts, so I took the old impact after the other, and it just happened to unsrew, If you are taking it somewhere to get it done, don't go to Midas, I am currently fighting them because when I took it in there to get that other bolt outta there, the cut into the heat shield on my cat with their cutting torch, and now it rattles like crazy. Lates

[MorganS13]

we had to use PB Blaster (penetrating lub... real good), an impact wrench, and a torch to get mine off. &nbsp;plus it was at a dealer so the car was up on a lift with plenty of room for us to work with. &nbsp;and u'll need spare bolts...i can almost guarantee that if you have that much rust on them.

[luey02]

thanks for all the reply.. &nbsp;but I really wanna find out who ever told me the exhause is an easy bolt-on job.. &nbsp;

anyway, the connect between the cat and the exhause looked a bit wet and it smelled like gasoline.. &nbsp;just hope my car dont blow up.. &nbsp;

I'm calling the shops tomorrow.. &nbsp;damn.. I hate paying for labor.