Ok so I read all the previous threads I could find and everyone likes to mention how easy this job is without giving too much detail. Now I don't want to seem like a novice here but man those flange bolts will not budge. Speaking of the two that connect the cat to the mid muffler assembly.

Steps I have taken.

I nearly drown in PBlaster run off, banged on them and have tried all kinds of curse words but nothing seems to loosen these little devils. And really the biggest problem seems to be there is ZERO clearance to even get a socket on the nuts to try and turn them. The cross-member and transmission really hinder any kind of leverage I could get anyway. (Wondering why they didn't put them on the other direction? lol).

So if someone could lend some advice as to how I can get these loose that would be grand. I have already cut the pipe after the mid muffler assembly per Magnaflow instructions (installing part number 16630) and removed everything rear of the mid muffler.

I do not want to drop a drive shaft to do this but by the sound of all the previous threads I am just missing something you all know and I have yet to discover.

Any help would be great but a video would be best.

This is my only vehicle so I am grounded until success.

 

Heat is your friend, if you have a propane torch heat up the bolts to loosen them. Mapp gas is even better as it burns allot hotter. This should help you in the removal

 

Firing it up now.. Thanks!

Will advise

 

Sadly that has done nothing but heat up the parts and burn me several times lol.... There is just no room to twist the socket wrench between the cross beam and the transmission...

Magnaflow says I need to salvage the flange but I am thinking of cutting off the pipe and beating on the stub with a BFH. LOL

 

Do you own a universal?

Long extension, universal / socket, breaker bar... try it, you will get all the leverage you need, under the cross member. GL

 

Thank you sir... I'll run out (again) and buy this.. lol anyone interested in all these tools when I am done please let me know. :P

 

Well the end result here is I had to use a sawzall and 3 blades but I finally got that sucker cut off. I could not run out and buy a universal as suggested as my friend had something better to do than run my az to the parts store again. lol

Anyway it is finally off. New system going on.

Tks again for your help all

 

i cut mine out with a torch and put new ones in

 

That is the question.... Since Magnaflow didn't supply these two simple nuts I now have to find suitable replacements. What a joke with a system that costs that much. They know those things are going to be fused on there or at the very least rusted and grungy. The rest of the system shines. Where to find these nuts? will regular old Home Depot or whatever work for this?

Tks again

 

Normal should be fine. As long as the same thread. Had to break mine off. I had all the room I needed but seized on. They are bitch to break with just a ratchet...lol then I thought of doubling up wrenches end to end after...