The Bolts from Hell...

370Z Purist

Pics will be up sooner or later, but I bought a pair of short tails from someone on the forum. They arrived last night, and my friend and I attempted to install them, seen a video, only the midpipe-rear section connection and exhaust hanger removal, then reverse for installation, done.

So I spy some rusted studs, clean nuts on the midpipe and rear section connection. Try to unbolt one. Doesn't work, rusted, makes sense.

Spray PB Blaster. Wait 5 minutes. Nothing. Mind you I'm still using hand tools.

Spray more PB Blaster. Wait 10 minutes. Tap the bolt a few times with the ratchet. Attempted, got nothing. Frustration builds, but still patient, having dealt with rust before.

Spray even more PB Blaster, on all the connections for the exhaust. 4 studs and nuts. 10 minutes later with constant tapping, I try again, to no avail. Even heated them with a lighter (not much heating going on there... lol).

Frustrated enough that I spent about 50 minutes trying to turn a single bolt, I thought about some research I did before I replied to a thread here. Someone did a homebrew of autotranny fluid and acetone, 50/50.

I went to Walmart, bought some ATF meant for pre2006 ATs. Not a big deal, I figure. Buy some acetone from the painting tools section.

I mix them half and half (it's really an odd looking concoction, almost like a strawberry smoothie or something; wouldn't recommend drinking). I saturate the bolts using half of a soda can. Still nothing following the next 30 minutes. I figure I'll try it later, so I properly heat them, drove about 20 minutes in decent weather (75 F) and went WOT a few times. You might call it spirited.

I haven't tried to turn a wrench on it since the drive. I am asking around for air tools later today and into the weekend. Who knew that installing short tails would be such a headache!?

Any suggestions from anyone? You know, besides finding air tools.

__________________
-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."