!! Stripped Cat Bolt !!

Q8y_drifter · 04-15-2011, 11:03 AM

I stripped 1 bolt and snapped another in half. Don't worry it happens to all of us. As long as only the bolts are damaged and not the cats themselves then you're in good shape.

6MT · 04-15-2011, 11:14 AM

Ahh.... the old "bolt from hell" story. Many have noticed your pain. Not many have had to go to the extreme you did, though.

CBRich · 04-15-2011, 04:02 PM

As stated earlier were you using an impact socket?

brado · 04-16-2011, 01:08 PM

i just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and had the same problem. if you look at the bolt from the other side (not through the engine bay) you will notice that u can fit a star bit on it. just use a star bit socket set and get it out from underneath the car instead of through the engine bay. since your threads are stripped it will take a while but trust me it will come out, and once u get it out u will have to take a drill bit to smooth out the threads because the bolts that they send you will not thread back into the manifold. also on mine right before i got the bolts out they got really tight and didnt seem to want to go any further but keep going cause thats when youre almost there.

omg35s · 04-18-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

As stated earlier were you using an impact socket?

I was using craftsman 6 point deep and shallow sockets... No impact sockets were used...

omg35s · 04-18-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brado

i just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and had the same problem. if you look at the bolt from the other side (not through the engine bay) you will notice that u can fit a star bit on it. just use a star bit socket set and get it out from underneath the car instead of through the engine bay. since your threads are stripped it will take a while but trust me it will come out, and once u get it out u will have to take a drill bit to smooth out the threads because the bolts that they send you will not thread back into the manifold. also on mine right before i got the bolts out they got really tight and didnt seem to want to go any further but keep going cause thats when youre almost there.

I never knew there was a star bit behind the top bolt. That is great information. Is it easy to access? Would you know what star bit size I would need?

My threads aren't stripped only the bolt is...

Thanks for the info

brado · 04-18-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omg35s

I never knew there was a star bit behind the top bolt. That is great information. Is it easy to access? Would you know what star bit size I would need?

My threads aren't stripped only the bolt is...

Thanks for the info

its a lot easier to access than through the engine bay and sorry i cant remember what size it was. if u have a set just try them all haha

omg35s · 05-03-2011, 11:19 AM

Ended up trying to break the bolt by over-tightening it... Stripped the bolt some more...

Seems like the only way to remove it now is to cut the top head bolt somehow...

Any suggestions?

tjlazer · 05-03-2011, 11:46 AM

you have to get access to do that, see my pic for the easiest way. lol

omg35s · 05-03-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjlazer

you have to get access to do that, see my pic for the easiest way. lol

lol.. I want to have the option to put it back to stock in the future...

brado · 05-03-2011, 07:38 PM

you still havnt got those pipes in yet? haha i would just take it to a shop if youre having that much trouble.

Fern to the Z · 05-03-2011, 11:00 PM

waiting for my F.I. Res TP + F.I. CBE to get here, I'm due at the end of the month, but i'm praying that I don't get "the bolt from hell" its demoralizing!!!

Boost_lee · 05-04-2011, 02:11 AM

going to buy some art pipes soon. I think Im going to start soaking the bolts now lol.

CBRich · 05-04-2011, 07:08 AM

A good impact socket really does make a big difference. It will fit better and not flex as much so you shouldn't strip it.

brado · 05-07-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

A good impact socket really does make a big difference. It will fit better and not flex as much so you shouldn't strip it.

it would still probly strip it since u have to have 2 feet of extensions on the top bolt. i dont think i would trust one on that.

04-15-2011, 11:03 AM	#16 (permalink)
Q8y_drifter Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 306 Drives: 08 Infiniti G35 5AT Rep Power: 15	I stripped 1 bolt and snapped another in half. Don't worry it happens to all of us. As long as only the bolts are damaged and not the cats themselves then you're in good shape. __________________ 08 G35 5AT Sedan \| Stillen CBE \| Invidia HFC \| Injen CAI \| Uprev Tune \| Akebono BBK \| Tanabe Coilovers \| Hotchkis Sway Bars \| GTSpec FSB \| Black Headlights & Grille \| Volk GT-F Wheels \| Hankook V12 Evo Tires

04-15-2011, 11:14 AM	#17 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	Ahh.... the old "bolt from hell" story. Many have noticed your pain. Not many have had to go to the extreme you did, though. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

05-03-2011, 11:46 AM	#24 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	you have to get access to do that, see my pic for the easiest way. lol __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

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04-15-2011, 04:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	As stated earlier were you using an impact socket?

04-16-2011, 01:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
brado Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 216 Drives: 09 touring w/ sport Rep Power: 14	i just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and had the same problem. if you look at the bolt from the other side (not through the engine bay) you will notice that u can fit a star bit on it. just use a star bit socket set and get it out from underneath the car instead of through the engine bay. since your threads are stripped it will take a while but trust me it will come out, and once u get it out u will have to take a drill bit to smooth out the threads because the bolts that they send you will not thread back into the manifold. also on mine right before i got the bolts out they got really tight and didnt seem to want to go any further but keep going cause thats when youre almost there.

05-03-2011, 11:19 AM	#23 (permalink)
omg35s Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New York Posts: 63 Drives: XXX Rep Power: 15	Ended up trying to break the bolt by over-tightening it... Stripped the bolt some more... Seems like the only way to remove it now is to cut the top head bolt somehow... Any suggestions?

05-03-2011, 07:38 PM	#26 (permalink)
brado Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 216 Drives: 09 touring w/ sport Rep Power: 14	you still havnt got those pipes in yet? haha i would just take it to a shop if youre having that much trouble.

05-03-2011, 11:00 PM	#27 (permalink)
Fern to the Z Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Far West TX Posts: 151 Drives: 16 PW nismO Tech Rep Power: 14	waiting for my F.I. Res TP + F.I. CBE to get here, I'm due at the end of the month, but i'm praying that I don't get "the bolt from hell" its demoralizing!!!

05-04-2011, 02:11 AM	#28 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	going to buy some art pipes soon. I think Im going to start soaking the bolts now lol.

05-04-2011, 07:08 AM	#29 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	A good impact socket really does make a big difference. It will fit better and not flex as much so you shouldn't strip it.