Tackling the demon bolt...

Cell

I have defeated the demon bolt and the world is saved. Now we can all live peacefully...

I ended up asking my neighbor for help. He presented a torch and helped me out. Torched the b!tch a$$ and it came loose. The passenger side snapped in two but that doesn't matter because it came out. The driver side made a loud crack sound and started to spin. I swear I put something like 1000 ft lbs into that thing to get it turning. I was shooting sweat out of all my pores using so much force.

I used the bolt extractors. When we heated the bolts up, it was easier to hammer the bolt extractor in to get a better bite. This way it turned. I feel so good accomplishing this lol.





So what are these cats worth if I were to sell them?

NissanGuy23

We hit the bolt with PB blaster, heated it with a blow torch, and accessed it from the engine bay, removing the air box. Then, we broke a 12" extension. Replaced it, then we snapped the bolt, leaving the stud in the cat.

EDIT: good job OP

Cell

For those that are going to remove there cats, here are the things I recommend.

Torch
1/2 inch everything (wrench, sockets, bolt extractors, 24-30" worth of extensions)
lots of strength
Another person to help
PB blast
patience

Big thing like everyone else said was that you need to have the socket seated correctly and have it bite onto the bolt. If you don't you will strip it.

6 hours total to get 6 bolts out. At least 5 of the hours were just for the demon bolts.

tjlazer

The problem is every car is different. Some had no issues at all and others, like you and me went thru hell. LOL Sucks but you just never know what you will get when you tackle the infamous 370Z demon bolt.

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Cell

The bolt was stuck on so tight that the craftsman bolt extractor actually stripped. It wasn't until we torched the bolt that the craftsman bolt extractor sat into the bolt a lot better.

VincentLe

thats crazy lol. i think im just gonna let a shop do mine when i get tp/hfc.

Cell

Save like 200 bucks if you do it yourself and you learn something new.

It really isn't that bad just time consuming. Even aa shop can give up on it.

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Sh0velMan

A LOT of shops charge upwards of $400+ for this job.

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Cell

I guess its 400 then. Lol

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7speed

Yeah with all that u slayed mine in what about 3hrs ...start to finish!

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zefaulter

I tried doing this myself, but gave up. ended up getting my shop do it for $150

Good job!

Alkatraz

I had one that was a b%$ch and ended up snapping. Then I started stressing about how bad the other side would be but it came out easily. Looks like it is different on every car.

mults

This was one of the most difficult things that I have ever tackled on a car. I did end up going in through the engine compartment with about 30" of extensions and a breaker bar. The "demon bolt" finally broke after about 15 minutes of pulling.

I did try bringing it to a few places to get an estimate (even two NISSAN dealers) and they basically said . With some persistence, PB Blaster and long extensions, it can be done. But be prepared for a few WTF moments.

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mults
40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
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Pasolustri

I’m glad u had it easier then me I managed to break 2 impact extensions and a universal join at that point I just borrowed my neighbors 1700 ft pound torque impact gun and let the bolts have it
Those bolts are no joke man

ct2012

I just broke these SOBs loose last night, after about a 3 week project trying to get them off. Being in PA and dealing with salt, I knew it wasn't going to be fun, but luckily the Z has become my project car so I had nothing but time over the winter. For those planning to tackle this, here are the lessons I learned:

- soak them in PB Blaster (and I mean, soak them) over an extended period and let it do some of the work for you. I doused them pretty much every night for about 2 weeks. My wife is pissed because the entire garage now reeks of PB Blaster, but oh well.
- use a joint to make sure you're sitting flush on the bolts. I started off going straight in on the passenger side thinking it was flush, and ended up rounding the bolt almost completely off when the deep socket slipped off. Which brings me to...
- skip the deep sockets and go right for bolt extractors, at least for the demon bolts. I picked up a set from Harbor Freight for $20 and they saved me. Not only did it grip the rounded off passenger bolt, but with the low profile I was able to slip it behind the steering column on the drivers side, then attach a joint to it, and not worry about moving the column around. The caveat: since I'm replacing the bolts anyways I wasn't worried about destroying them, but using an extractor from the start on the drivers side bolt popped it off with no damage.

I'm not going to lie - I wish I had recorded the sound it made when they broke loose because I would listen to it every day... such a satisfying metallic "CRACK" followed by the bolt finally turning. Planning on framing the rounded off, partially destroyed passenger side bolt for the garage as a trophy.

Oh, and I also had 2 glasses of bourbon while taking them off, to which I primarily attribute my success.

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