Advice on removing seized exhaust nuts

[chicane]

I have 4 totally rusted and seized exhaust nuts that need to be removed. Two are accessible two are not. It is already a tight area to work in but I cannot get my Dremel tool much less my grinder in there. What I really need is some sort of then cutting attachment to snake in between the exhaust pipes in order to cut the nuts off. Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed with this?

 

[bart1]

Dremel offer something like that. When I replaced the exhaust on one of my cars, I just cut everything off (and replaced with stainless).

 

[lestat]

Soak them in wb40 and then invest in an Irwin bolt grip remover set. It took off exhaust nuts that were literally defaced by rust. Couldn't quite believe it.

 

[Outlawmws]

PB blaster and heat. WD-40 is near useless for rust seized nuts

 

[Toolgarage]

Its time for the torch

 

[signcrafter]

There are lots of options but none are usually fun! Sawzall, cut off tool, torch if you have one, pb blaster and bolt grips, those small handle hack saws, etc. Sometimes you have to get creative.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Kroil or PB Blaster for 24 hours. Then try. Then a torch. (Then you start cutting.)

 

[Dave.R]

I've had a ton of success with Deep Creep by seafoam. Its nice that it doesn't flash from flame, and isn't all over the place like pb. Works well for throttle body cleaning too. Its become my do all.

 

[BWS]

Torch,then hit'm with an ice cold,wet rag.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I've had a ton of success with Deep Creep by seafoam. Its nice that it doesn't flash from flame, and isn't all over the place like pb. Works well for throttle body cleaning too. Its become my do all.

^THIS^

Deep Creep is awesome stuff, foams up, and ***** itself into anything. Doesn't spread everywhere it isn't needed. I swear by it.

 

[isaac338]

Take it to a muffler shop. They'll do it quick, cheap, and easy.

If you won't do that, if they're on studs heat 'em red hot and get on them with vise grips. If they're on bolts, torch them off and replace them. If neither of those plans are doable, take it to a damn muffler shop.

 

[chicane]

Dremel offer something like that. When I replaced the exhaust on one of my cars, I just cut everything off (and replaced with stainless).

Can you provide a link of the Dremel tool or extension?

 

[chicane]

Take it to a muffler shop. They'll do it quick, cheap, and easy.

If you won't do that, if they're on studs heat 'em red hot and get on them with vise grips. If they're on bolts, torch them off and replace them. If neither of those plans are doable, take it to a damn muffler shop.

If I wanted to take it to a muffler shop I would just take it and not bother to ask a question on this forum.

 

[chicane]

Torch,then hit'm with an ice cold,wet rag.

I can't put too much heat due to the O2 sensors and other heat sensitive stuff in the area.

 

[regguy1]

You can use an air chisel with a sharp bit to split the nut or cut off a section then just knock the rest off with the chisel or by hand. Use a careful touch with the air chisel

 

[e30bradley]

cut the whole thing off.. Replace necessary parts. unless its in good shape other than the bolts. Then either a twisted bolt socket or and air hammer maybe. Heat it with a torch first. exhausts are a PITA!

 

[bart1]

Can you provide a link of the Dremel tool or extension?

Sure thing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000302Y8

I was able to use a regular Dremel on mine. So much easier than soaking torching or anything.

 

[tribbles]

I can't put too much heat due to the O2 sensors and other heat sensitive stuff in the area.

Really? It's an O2 sensor, it lives on one of the hottest parts of the entire car.

 

[bcradio]

What do you guys use the dremels for? Just to cut the whole bolt out or to clean up the rust?

 

[purplezr2]

Torch or atf/acetone mix, in combo they work well too.

 

[bart1]

What do you guys use the dremels for? Just to cut the whole bolt out or to clean up the rust?

I put a cutting disc on the Dremel, cut the old bolts off, bought all new stainless fasteners.

 

[BWS]

Just a FYI,theres times when you can't use a torch directly on a nut,for whatever reason?We've had good success with heating cheapo(disposable)impact sockets to glowing red hot and then letting them heat transfer to part.Usually takes several,quick...heat,soak,heat,soak...shooting with a infrared gun.

Not sayin it'll work in this case.....but it does work.

 

[chicane]

Sure thing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000302Y8

I was able to use a regular Dremel on mine. So much easier than soaking torching or anything.

That's what I was thinking. Did you us a carbon cutoff wheel with this?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Where are the nuts rusted at? If it is the manifold studs where the exhaust pipe connects, heat up the manifold by the stud an use an impact to remove the nut and stud as one piece.

Then replace the stud and nut.

Chris

 

[fflintstone]

I will get one of these when money starts shooting out of my ***.

http://www.theinductor.com/

absolute best way to heat a bolt.

 

[CORTEZSS69]

I like using GM Rust Penetrant and Inhibitor. GM# 88862628, runs about $6.25 a can. If that dont cut it, time for the flame(torch). Good luck.

 

[greasemonkey44]

I will get one of these when money starts shooting out of my ***.

http://www.theinductor.com/

absolute best way to heat a bolt.

we have one at work; it is great
works well on freeing up locktited bolts as well

for exhaust work; i get nasty
usually a 1/2 impact and alot of kroil; then vice grips, bolt cutters, nutsplitter, air hammer, and finally a torch

 

[dirtmister16]

not sure if someone metioned it, i skimmed. but wouldn't a nut splitter work in this situation?

 

[Professur]

Now don't go talking sense.

 

[hydramatic]

i`m with purplezr trans fluid/acetone 50/50 mix. wait , then the blue wrench...

 

[redwrench60]

i`m with purplezr trans fluid/acetone 50/50 mix. wait , then the blue wrench...

No no, you mean the.....RED wrench.

 

[bart1]

That's what I was thinking. Did you us a carbon cutoff wheel with this?

Reinforced cutting wheel. Looks like one you'd put on an angle grinder. Get them whereever Dremel stiff is sold.

 

[Matt018]

You need penetrating oil, A torch and an impact.

 

[Outlawmws]

No no, you mean the.....RED wrench.

Wow that's generous! Offering to come over and help the guy! So you live nearby, or is this a road trip?

 

[vssjim]

I also have a 90 degee haed for my Dremel as I had to use it to grind out a broken off bolt in truck cyl head that was covered by the body kind of.

 

[jam022316]

I will get one of these when money starts shooting out of my ***.

http://www.theinductor.com/

absolute best way to heat a bolt.

I was really psyched about getting one till I saw the price!

 

[Tavy]

Skip right to the torch. If you're reasonably skilled, you can split the nut in half without ruining the stud (granted, you should change the stud anyway. Mac stud removers.)
Otherwise you can notch the nuts and smash them with a hammer and chisel or any combination thereof, and soak with penatrant or diesel fuel (whatever's handy), spreads 'em a little. Have had good luck in the past.
If you break the stud off flush, good luck.

 

[EvilWelder]

Mexican hot wrench, and be done with it.

 

[bmxr4life87]

Whatever you do for the love of god use stainless hardware and antiseize when putting back together.

 

[jdonahoe6]

Are these manifold studs that you can't get out? I work in a custom exhaust shop and what we do is thread two nuts onto the manifold stud, hit it with either the Mini-Ductor or the torch, then use an 18 inch extension on an impact gun to zip the entire stud out of the manifold. For anything else we use the torch and a punch to get rid of the old nut/bolt combo and use new 5/16 or 3/8 stainless steel hardware
Also, make sure you have a good flex socket to get to the studs, asian and most german cars are a 17mm, american cars are either a 9/16 or 11/16