[Shotimes] Man, I'm Exhausted

[Bobbonnit1@aol.com]

Dave;
  Om the Y-pipe bolts, or any exhaust boilts that have been in a long time, 
sometimes it's a losing battle. It ends up breaking and out come the manifolds 
for the center  pinch ( the center)  . drill and tap routine.  Putting 
penetrating oil on them does help, after you break them loose. I've never seen any 
penetrating oil actually penetrate much beyond the surface.,  Once it's broke 
though, it helps the threads get thru the tight part (if the stud goes thru the 
flange.. 
  Now's it's time to pull out the 1/2 drive weapons, including an impact if 
handy. . a long extension, and a "6" point socket.  Worse scenario is to have a 
"12" point socket "round off the nut".
When you go to break it loose, if it starts to turn, only turn it about a 1/8 
or 1/16 of a turn, then turn it back about half that and spray more oil on 
it. This clears the threads. Hopefully,  it'll get easier.  But if it tightens 
up and you know it's about to snap, it's torch time. Heat the bastard up 
without burning anything else ( I use old welding gloves that are too stiff to wear 
to protect things from being burnt),  then if it doesn't loosen up , there's 
nothing you can do.  The impact is the ideal weapon,  going back and forth...Be 
sure toi wear goggles cuz shit's going to fly. I'm sure you know how to 
double - nut a stud, right?  It sure would be nice to rent a rack to do this 
standing up.....Grand Auto used to rent their racks but insurance put that out of 
business and Grand Auto.  Maybe instead of going up with the car, i can backhoe 
me a ditch , and make it my home for a day cuz I have to replace my y-pipe, 
and replace my bearings too.  Good Luck