A DIY method to remove these bolts?

[anonymous-user]

I'm trying to fit a new centre pipe to my 172 Cup before I sell it, which would be an easy job if these bolts weren't rusted and seized. I want to remove the centre pipe (left) leaving the cat (right) intact.



I can't get them off with sockets due to the rust and I've tried sawing them but there is little space to move a saw around under there. Also the blades are blunting like they're made of cheese.

Any suggestions? So far I'm thinking an angle grinder, but the car is only on axle stands so an angle grinder is dangerous to say the least. The car is currently SORN and transporting to a garage is an option, but I'd rather not if possible.

[rotta]

mains powered dremel with a cutting disc youll have those off in a jiffy

[Slow]

Rev the car and heat up the exhaust which should make them easier to remove if you dont mind the heat?

[carinaman]

Those serrated edge sockets they sell at places Machine Mart? I think I paid <£25 for 4 different ones.

[Zoobeef]

Hacksaw/grinder/dremel

[anonymous-user]

No power at my rented garage

Oh it's a laugh isn't it.

[DKS]

Have you tried a 12 sided socket of slightly smaller size hammered on?
Failing that as it's a not and bolt an angle grinder is your next best bet, or a hacksaw if you have the patience (yes I've done it before, it took a while!).

[anonymous-user]

I'm prepared to lie there underneath and hacksaw away, but the blades are blunting so fast that I would probably go through 100 of them per bolt. There is so little room to move a saw that an area of around 40mm is all there is to work with, so it blunts extra fast.

Have not tried hammering on a socket, that could be worth a go.

Do those serrated sockets work then? That could work.

[9mm]

Grinder is the obvious solution and if you wear suitable protection and keep an extinguisher handy it should be a five minute job. You can protect yourself against crushing by putting spare wheels under the car but if you're on level ground on axle stands, backed up by a trolley jack and spare wheel, you have minimised the risk and it's not as if you will be pulling the car about.

If you don't fancy the grinder then stick to your sockets but really heat the bolts with a blowtorch first. You may find they snap but you should at least then be able to separate the parts. Watch out for fire though, especially the underseal and be careful you are nowhere near fuel and brake lines. You should be able to direct the heat accurately enough with a small butane blowtorch.

[anonymous-user]

I think I'd rather the grinder method than blowtorch! Partly because I think I'll burn something and also partly because there is no purchase with a socket on those bolts at all.

But the problem is I have no mains power to use a grinder.

The car needs an MOT in under a month so transporting to a garage (2 miles) to have the exhaust removed and the new one fitted whilst having an MOT is sort of viable.

[Manicminer]

http://www.hss.com/g/6314/Battery-Angle-Grinder.ht...

[steveo3002]

maybe try the best quality blades you can get

otherwise cordless angle grinder or drive it somewhere you can use a corded one

[Prof Prolapse]

You need a butane blowtorch and a set of bolt extractors (Irwin). Roller type stud extractors will also possibly work but you'll need big ones.

It'll cost £30 using tools from your local machinemart and have them off in 10 minutes.

I'm not a fan of angle grinders personally. Never needed one.

[Pooky67]

Plus-gas and mole grips?

[320touring]

A set of Irwin sockets is what you need.

As said above,about 30 quid for a set.

Tap it on then turn,job jobbed

[N Dentressangle]

RenOHH said:

But the problem is I have no mains power to use a grinder.

How about this?

Probably less than the cost of the alternative, and you're bound to find other uses.

[Dracoro]

Have you tried a breaker bar with your sockets?

[m4tti]

Dracoro said:

Have you tried a breaker bar with your sockets?

Hammer the socket on hard and square and use a breaker bar or extend your ratchet handle with some tubing, like a jack handle. It will shear when you put some decent force through it.

[Matthen]

You could rent a generator for a couple of days and use a grinder? Probably get one for £40...

ETA: I've no idea what sort of output you'd need. May well cost more than that.

Edited by Matthen on Monday 19th August 18:54

[anonymous-user]

Dracoro said:

Have you tried a breaker bar with your sockets?

No but the heads are so corroded that they just spin off. I can spin it off the bolt head with a 6" ratchet.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll have a think. It's a messy combination of having a broken depreciating car, that I'm now not insured to drive, that has an MOT running out and that's in a garage that's costing money to rent.

Will bolt extractors be effective without a blow torch? I really would rather not use a blow torch.