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12-25-2009, 09:38 AM
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Alright, I'm trying to take off my stock cat, and the bolts are rusted in there, 51,644 miles of rust. Are the bolt holes between the stock cat and stock header threaded? Or are they both smooth and just the nut + bolt keeps them on there?
Basically, if I cut one end off the bolt, can I just hammer the bolt out of the hole? Or do the bolts actually thread into the cat or header?
I have no problem buying new bolts, but not gonna cut them if it's not going to help me or will make it harder.
The loaned midpipe has smooth bolt holes, and so did Zelse's header, but being not stock on either end, I can't use it as a guide or rule.
Basically, if I cut one end off the bolt, can I just hammer the bolt out of the hole? Or do the bolts actually thread into the cat or header?
I have no problem buying new bolts, but not gonna cut them if it's not going to help me or will make it harder.
The loaned midpipe has smooth bolt holes, and so did Zelse's header, but being not stock on either end, I can't use it as a guide or rule.
12-25-2009, 09:44 AM
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If they are threaded holes then doing this will just leave me with a stuck bolt with no way of gripping it.
I have no problem destroying the bolts, I have all the bolts from Zelse's midpipe on hand as replacements. I just don't want to do something that will make it worse.
And when hammering on the plating that meets the header, my cat sounds like it has a bunch of marbles jumping around at every hit, so I think that confirms it.
12-25-2009, 09:50 AM
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Ah, thanks, that would be helpful.
I am hosing it with WD 40, hammering on the mounting plate to hopefully break the rust with a shock, using matches to locally heat the bolts hoping expansion will help.
The ground is 23 degrees, 27 degree ambient air, my *** is freezing. I even have a space heater out there pumping heat under the car trying to keep warm.
I am hosing it with WD 40, hammering on the mounting plate to hopefully break the rust with a shock, using matches to locally heat the bolts hoping expansion will help.
The ground is 23 degrees, 27 degree ambient air, my *** is freezing. I even have a space heater out there pumping heat under the car trying to keep warm.
12-25-2009, 09:59 AM
Yeah it took me an the Reverend a while to pop these bad boys out. Lay it on a towel or something, put something to protect the threads and go crazy. Worked for me. 
12-25-2009, 10:06 AM
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So I am assuming that you got the nut off then too? Cause I think I just stripped the nut 
The bolt head isn't looking all that great either.
This is just the lower one. I haven't even tried the other 2 higher ones.
The 2 bolts at the rear of the cat to the cat-back are off, those didn't cause me much trouble.
The bolt head isn't looking all that great either.This is just the lower one. I haven't even tried the other 2 higher ones.
The 2 bolts at the rear of the cat to the cat-back are off, those didn't cause me much trouble.
12-25-2009, 10:10 AM
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Clear corners (with fluid!) and clutch bracket are my only mods.
So what if I cut off the nut that is on the bolt, can I then hammer the bolt out? I am searching pictures of cats in the for sale threads, and every one I have found so far has the bolts in it.
So what if I cut off the nut that is on the bolt, can I then hammer the bolt out? I am searching pictures of cats in the for sale threads, and every one I have found so far has the bolts in it.
12-25-2009, 10:13 AM
Yeah the two long ones in the back are pretty easy. Its the three on the cat to header that are to truble makers. Pull the whole cat out before you hammer them. Put your foot on it and hammer away. yeah be careful not to strip the bolt. Put something soft in front of it to protect thread from the hammer.
12-25-2009, 10:15 AM
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You are assuming I can pull my cat off...
It is still on the car, bolt and nut rusted firmly to the header. I have stripped the nut on the lower bolt trying to get it to break free, and the bolt head is starting to strip as well. Not a budge so far.
sigh.
It is still on the car, bolt and nut rusted firmly to the header. I have stripped the nut on the lower bolt trying to get it to break free, and the bolt head is starting to strip as well. Not a budge so far.
sigh.
12-25-2009, 10:16 AM
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Like I said, I have spare bolts from Zelse's midpipe that will work, so I am 100% willing to destroy the bolts to get the cat off. I only have today to get it off, since I have to leave on a 10hr trip tomorrow.
If the holes in the mounting plate on the header and cat are smooth, and not threaded, then I can cut the nut off and hammer the bolt out. If the holes are threaded, then this won't work, because the bolt is still gripping the mounting plate.
If the holes in the mounting plate on the header and cat are smooth, and not threaded, then I can cut the nut off and hammer the bolt out. If the holes are threaded, then this won't work, because the bolt is still gripping the mounting plate.