Hi guys just wanted to share my pain..

For the past few weeks I have been trying to take my exhaust header off(jdm prelude, I get 3 hours at most to do anything to the car per week! ).
Anyway today I felt lucky! The problem I was having was getting the downpipe off the header. The nuts holding it on are stupidly placed just so you cant get to them!

I had to remove the radiator and the front engine mount to get to the 3 nuts! I was on the last nut when it decided to go round on me!!

Tried my grip sockets but that didnt work! Tried to nut cracker and that didnt work! Tried a big hammer and that didn't work... see a trend?

I was getting angry at this point so I went and got me an angle grinder! started hacking away and found it surprisingly difficult!
Then when i start cutting the downpipe the angle grinder went pop.. and died!!!!

I thought ok....

the downpipe was almost off so I thought i'd just hammer and twist it off! and it worked!!!

So I got my tanabe header and noticed the downpipe was shorter that the original!! doh!!

Anyway I tried to fit it on still but found it super difficult! Everything is in the way! Mangaged to get it slightly on and tried starting it up! didnt start.. then I remembered the O2 sensor in the downpipe!

So off I went to get it off but the bugger will not budge!!!! it's stuck solid!

Gave up and went inside with full on battle scars all over my arms!!

A few questions...

Are the BB1 and BB4 header different?

Any ideas on the O2 sensor???

possibly the worst day of my life!!! I spent 12hours.... and the car doesn't even run!!!!

rant over!!


Modified by vtec_lude at 11:13 PM 5/1/2006

 

Welcome to the world of auto repair. It never goes as expected.

Tip #1: when working on exhaust always have a can of PB blaster adn band-aids handy.
Tip #2:Always expect to break/strip bolts/nuts.

 

uh dude, the downpipe nuts are easily accessable from to bottom( no need to remove the front mount and radiator) Just use a deep well socket and long enough extension. Always let them soak good before ever trying to break loose like stated/\.

 

i dont know about the fitment, but the easiest way to get the o2 sensor outta the pipe off the car is to put the wrench so its propping up the o2 sensor, and when you step on the pipe it will be pushing counter-clockwise

 

I tried it from the bottom first with an extension and thats when I rounded the bolt. I'm kinda confused about the downpipe. Everyone is telling me that the BB1 and BB4 downpipes should be the same length but my new one is definately shorter by a few inches!

 

Bet u used 12 point sockets. Always use a six point on those nuts. !2 point socket round off nuts easier.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quade &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bet u used 12 point sockets. Always use a six point on those nuts. !2 point socket round off nuts easier.</TD></TR></TABLE>


My thought too

 

nope I dont have any 12 point sockets. all 6 point ones. The 12 points round nuts too easily!

 

bb1 and bb4 downpipes are not the same...

 

Is it just the length or is it completely different?

 

sigh, i feel 4 u