So I was installing a stock Si exhaust back on my car. There are 2 of those bolts with springs that connect the b-pipe to the axleback. Well I realized that one of the bolts was actually broken off and stuck inside the threading. It happened when I originally removed it, but forgot about it.

So I'm gonna drill it out, but that means I wont be able to use the spring bolts again. They wont re thread in there, and they are the type without the nuts. Think its OK to use a normal bolt and nut without the spring setup? How crucial are those?

 

it just allows the pipe to flex and not break. i would put new in.

 

if I'm not mistaken the spring isn't attached to the bolt. Drill it out and put a new one in with the spring on it... and a nut. I actually had a similar problem and I made an exhaust bolt out of a timing cover bolt using a dremel tool to shave down the little edge that mates the bolt up to the pipe and put a big washer on the head... worked great and is still working to this day.
(then again, that's the same joint that has a Ford Probe donut gasket and a bunch of other crazy fabrication cuz I had finally got the swap done and was anxious to get it out. hahaha)

HTH.

Harry