Mk4 golf exhaust removal

[ssray]

Background before you laugh at me ... I'm 58 have had about 80 motorbikes but never really messed with cars, so be gentle with me.
My mk4 130pd estate has a leaking Flexi, excellent I thought I'll cut it out and put a clamp on one on, up on floor ramps today in the rain and the front is accessible but the rear has the exhaust hanger in the way and the bolts seem pretty well rusted in , I've used penetrating oil just in case.

So I thought I'll take the front pipe off and wiggle it out cut it fix it and rebolt it in, the manifold nuts seem set in their ways and want to stay there.
Question do I access all three from below? Any tips?

I may get someone who knows what they are doing to replace the front pipe with a decat version

Any tips at all please go ahead
Ta Ray

[E-bmw]

ssray said:

My mk4 130pd estate has a leaking Flexi, excellent I thought I'll cut it out and put a clamp on one on, up on floor ramps today in the rain and the front is accessible but the rear has the exhaust hanger in the way and the bolts seem pretty well rusted in , I've used penetrating oil just in case.

Penetrating oil will do nothing on fully rusted in exhaust bolts/nuts.

About the only thing that will is either LOTS of heat or just cut them off & replace with new.

ssray said:

Question do I access all three from below? Any tips?

Only you can see this unfortunately, sometimes (assuming you only have 2 stands) it can be easier to lift up both ends of one side rather than both fronts.

ssray said:

I may get someone who knows what they are doing to replace the front pipe with a decat version

Any tips at all please go ahead

Top tip, if you decat it will never pass an MOT while it is fitted.

Edited by E-bmw on Thursday 12th February 17:54