!! Stripped Cat Bolt !!

SPOHN

I agree completly. I first used a regular socket and it broke it. Went to my impact sockets and it fit really tight. Even had to lightly tap the socket on with a hammer. This was the key. The main thing IMO is to use some straight extensions with no swivels. This requires the removel of the stock intake to be able to make the extensions work at the proper angle.

__________________

SoCal 370Z

Has anyone tried an "old man" tool on these? I have not removed the cats so I have not seen what people are up against.

__________________

( Click to show/hide )

Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

CBRich

Actually I've done this on my own and a friend's vehicle. That's four cats, not a single stripped bolt.

ChrisSlicks

I used a single 36" impact grade extension and a impact socket along with a 24" breaker bar. One bolt required a bit of muscle but the others were a breeze. I started out with the swivel and the short daisy chained extensions but it was a pain in the butt. Pulled the airboxes and went straight in, it was so much easier.

__________________
Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

brado

how did u get the bolt off the passenger side without a swivel? thats what i would be afraid of would be the swivel slipping or something with the power of the impact gun.

SPOHN

He was appling impact grade material. Not a impact gun. That could cause some issues.

The passenger side is about the same as the drivers. Best if you remove the intake system to get the best straight angle. I sprayed my bolts with PB blaster twice a week before takling it. But, keep in mind my car only had about 800 miles on it at the time. IMO the more miles at the time of removing can have a big play.

__________________

ChrisSlicks

No swivel, just take of the stock airboxes and intake tube. I did not use an impact gun, just a 2ft breaker bar. Once it "cracked" I removed the breaker bar and used a rachet or turned by hand. You can also use "wobble" extensions which give you about 15 degrees of movement in any direction, but you'll still need to take off the intake. My car had 9000 miles on it when I did the swap.

__________________
Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

buddahson

Sorry to revive an old thread but I figured it would be better than makeing a new one.

I am having a hell of a time with both demon bolts. I have all of the other bolts out. I started by spraying with PB several weeks ahead of time. I have injen intakes so there is enough room to access the bolt from the engine bay. I have a 1/2 inch breaker bar with a couple feet of extensions and a 14mm impact socket.

At this point the bolts are partially stripped and have not budged. I've tried heating them with a torch and by running the car. I made some super PB blast I found online by mixing 1:1 ratios of ATF and Acetone. I tried an electric impact wrench wich does not slip off the bolt but did not budge it either.

The way I see it I have two options. Take it to a shop or try to break or cut the bolt off. If I cut the head of the bolt off, will I be able to remove the cat? From what I've seen, it looks like the flange it threaded so I would think it still wouldn't come off.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

__________________

Thanks for the sig EazyD.

cheshirecat

I had to use the dremel with the extension on one of my bolts. Ened up using the diamond coated cutting/routing bit thing. Took about 15 minutes but it did the job.

CBRich

What do you mean by breaker bar? I used a good quality impact socket to make sure it was a tight fit and didn't strip and a 4 FT GALVANIZED STEEL PIPE. I just about hung all my body weight on the end of the pipe before one of the bolts broke loose. That's how much torque it took to get it to break free. This is a different kind of force than an impact wrench will apply.

buddahson

By breaker bar I mean a socket wrench with 3ft handle. I also have a 4ft piece of pipe "cheater bar" that I can use to extend it. However, it gets pretty awkward to use by myself. I might take one more crack at it with a friend. If that doesn't get it I can drill into the head of the bolt with a tungsten carbide dremel tip. And then I should be able to break the head off. Can someone confirm that I can remove the cat with the demon bolt shaft still in there? I don't want to cut the head off and find that the shaft is actually threaded into the header side of the flange.


Thanks for the input so far.

Edit: I just got the driver side off. The passenger side is pretty well stripped. Going to have to cut.

__________________

Thanks for the sig EazyD.

Synack

After reading this whole thread I feel like I'm heading into a thunderstorm with nothing but an umbrella.

__________________
NO LONGER OWNS A 370
Turbo FR-S

Trips

The lesson is to make sure you spray the bolts with penetrating oil, use the correct high impact socket, and have someone to help hold the socket in place while the other breaks the bolts loose with a breaker bar so it doesn't strip and get SCREWED!! other than that? their shouldn't be any issues

__________________

CBRich

It really is this simple. Applying the lube to warm bolts also helps. But the big thing is the impact socket and ensuring it stays on square while you're wrenching on it.

SPOHN

I even sprayed the bolts down a week before getting my TP's

__________________