I am taking my b-pipe(exhaust pipe from the cat to the muffer) off and replacing it. I have some more time ebcause NAPA ordered the wrong exhaust for my car; im about to go up there to get a new pipe.

But here is my question: My cat-to-bpipe bolts(the 3 bolts holding them together) are really rusted and stuck. I have been spraying the PB blaster on it to try to see what that does. Im wondering:

1.) What size bolt is the stock bolts? 13mm? my bolts are really rusted so its hard to see what is the actual size

2.) What do I do if PB doesnt work? I would hate to take it to a shop for them to break them loose but if thats a suggestion, I ll do it if i have to. What do you guys recommend?

Thanks for your time

PS: Here is the part im talking about if it wasnt clear above

 

use a whizzer wheel

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by imadigitalgod &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1.) What size bolt is the stock bolts? 13mm? my bolts are really rusted so its hard to see what is the actual size</TD></TR></TABLE>

I believe OEM bolts have a 14 mm head and a 12 mm nut.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by imadigitalgod &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2.) What do I do if PB doesnt work? I would hate to take it to a shop for them to break them loose but if thats a suggestion, I ll do it if i have to. What do you guys recommend?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If they're really rusted, it's almost as bad as a weld since they're basically fused together. You'll have to cut through the spring and the bolt on all 3 and then simply replace them. They have a tendency of breaking anyway even if you are capable of getting them loose.

 

if its your first time removing those bolts good luck ur best bet is to cut them and get new ones because of their location they have a tendency to seize and harden do to all the heat, but once u get em off its not so much of a big deal in the future

 

have you tried heating them up with a torch? Sometimes these things are impossible to do with simple hand tools

 

your going to have to cut them off and if your lucky you can bang the studs out of the cat or else you going to have to finish cutting them flat and drill the studs out

those bolts rust to the point where you can't see the 6 point head, I wouldn't even bother putting a ratchet on them

 

the ones i have i can put a 13mm head around. what way do I cut it? will i have to take the whole exhaust system off to get to it? i have the 99 EX civic so there are 3 bolts, 2 on the bottom side as well as one at the very top

 

your going to have to take the cat off the header as well, don't bother try getting to the top bolt with the cat still on

 

I did the same service a while back. Cut the bolts. Don't waste your time with anything else. Replacements for the bolt, nut, spring, and gasket will run you about $30 at Honda.

 

alright do u mean i take everything off of the exhaust system; the cat on back to where the b-pipe connects to the muffler?

 

take off everything but the headers, you can't buy the 3 replacement studs for the cat, there pressed in from the factory and I don't think honda has a part number for them
edit: I just looked at the picture they do, but it's a rip off and they'll still rust

go to the hardware store and buy 3 stainless steel nuts and bolts, you will thank me down the road if you ever need to remove that pipe, regular bolts in that area rust immediately

 

alright thanks. ill have to do that later tonight or tomorrow and ill post how it goes. im waiting for napa to pickup my parts from their warehouse, they should have it here in an hour or so.

what drememl tool do u recommend cuttng the bolts off with? the dremel is the only tool i have to cut anything off right now.

 

borrow or rent a grinder, you will be there for a very long time with a dremel