removing an exhaust

[BigBen]

After putting up with a noisy exhaust for almost a year the time has come to bite the bullet and fit new system from the manifold back on my Merc 300SL.

Problem I can envisage having is undoing the bolts where the existing system connects to the manifold, set up is as follows.

2 x banks of 2 to 1 from engine
2 x flanges bolting to twin pipes of exhaust system

Flanges are attached by a bolt from the underside to a square nut on the top side which braces against the manifold so it does not spin when the bolt is tightened / loosened.

My problem is there does not seem to be much room on the lower side to get a spanner in and loosen the bolts.

Any tips / pointers on removing tricky bolts welcome, not accessable enough to drill them out. Am already soaking the bolts in water dispersant every day for the week leading up to the job

Cheers

Ben

[Mr_B]

I hate removing exhausts on any car.Everyone I've done turns into a real pain in the arse - rusted or snapped bolts, trying to remove sections of exhaust that have rusted together in the past 10 years etc. I don't bother now unless I can use the workshop/pit at work. For a big car like the Merc, I'd have someone do it on a ramp, usually much easier for access.

[Greendubber]

Just carry on with what you're doing. I've got some really crusty nasty ones off by just soaking them in penetrating fluid before undoing them.

Dont go too hard with a socket/spanner, they have a habit of busting off!.

[BigBen]

Job done ! Started by rounding off the bolt heads (of course) then bought a set of Irwin bolt grip removers, which I can't praise enough fantastic bits of kit. After getting the manifold bolts off a pretty easy job

Ben