Going to be installing my exhaust this weekend and trying to find the best way to remove the bolts with out breaking my hand.

I heard that running the exhaust to heat up the bolts work to Break them free (not remove them). My plan is to use PB (bolt buster spray) the day before then the next morning spray it one more time then running the car a few mins to heat the bolts In Hopes that the bolts come lose easy (cat bolts and O2). I dont want to break my 02 since its like 300$ at the dealer

Is this something you guys would do or am I going alittle too far???

FYI::I got the Greddy Evo2 exhaust

 

What I did: I went to home depot, got a gas torch, and heated them up individually like that. Not sure how running the car for a bit will help, it really needs to be heated at the bolt, not just general heat in the area.

 

Heating up the exhaust will burn away any PB blaster (or WD40) that is on the threads. First try just using PB blaster + big *** breaker bar. If it doesn't budge then bust out the blow torch. Heat up the SURROUNDING areas of the metal, not the bolt itself, this will allow the surrounding area to expand and loosen its grip on the bolt. Running the engine to get the exhaust hot right before you take it off is generally not a very good idea...

 

you could do that, i'm not sure how hot the bolts would get though.

For really stubborn bolts you can use a small propane torch ($25bucks at a hardware store). and basically spray the bolts overnight with PBblaster. Then the next day spray them again right before working on them, and heat them up for about 1minute with the torch, then just make sure your 6pt socket is on there tight and give it a good turn. Just make sure when using the torch not to burn any rubber or hoses/wires

 

You guys right I dont think the bolts would get that hot. I guess I am off to homedepot. Everyone is on the same page here and sounds like the smartest way. (I really dont want to break that O2)...... Thanks everyone !

 

I put an oxy/acetelyne torch on one of my bolts. Damn thing still wouldnt budge (this was on the turbo hotside.) I drilled it out eventually but damage a few threads at the top of the bolt hole in the process

 

do what i did on my RSX type S. I connected the socket wrench to the bolt...had a tow strap tied to the end of my wrench and stood next to the car and pulled on the tow strap as hard as i could and it broke free.

also another method to break stuff free is to give it bursts of pressure not constant pressure. Example pulling on it with your hand constantly isn't going to be as effective as hitting it at the end of the wrench with a mallet a bunch of times.

or even better, just 'pump' it with your hand...instead of applying constant pressure, just keep putting pressure then easing up then reapply quickly...

all those work for me every time...and mainly cause i don't have cannon ball sized biceps so i have to come up with **** that helps me lol

 

I would splurge and get a heat gun. Comes in handy for many uses down the road.

 

When I installed my Greddy Ti, all the bolts came loose with a bit of pressure on the wrench. Do you have some that are stuck?

 

Nothing beats using a breaker bar + sledge hammer =) The bolt head/nut is either going to snap or break loose.

 

good to know Its either going to break free or Break off... What about an Impact gun has anyone tried that ?

 

Uhm, physics says that heating the bolt will make it expand. Try cooling it down and see if that helps. Also if you give a nice little tightening snug then loosening, it my break free. Had to do that all the time on the airplanes I work on....all the damn corrosion.

 

I am all about the physics, but I have had good results with the heat action in regards to the bolt. Perhaps it transfers the heat to the surrounding metal, I don't know. It does work, though.

 

does no1 know about kroil. Its the greatest stuff in the world

 

Breaker bar is one of the best tools to own. My.02