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how do you remove rusted bolts?

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Old May 23, 2002 | 09:49 PM
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R U A LS1's Avatar
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Default how do you remove rusted bolts?

with elbow grease and wd40 i got the y pipe off no biggie, now im up to the stock manifolds and the cats. HOW THE HECK! DO YOU REMOVE THE 3 BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE CATS TO THE MANIFOLDS!!!! can you say IMPOSSIBLE? with wd40 and a lot of trying they wond budge. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
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Old May 23, 2002 | 09:53 PM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

Get yourself some PB blaster. Best product out there. Its only like 2 bucks at your local hardware/auto store. Should be relatively easily to find.
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Old May 24, 2002 | 12:09 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

I agree that those bolts are stock on there pretty good. We broke off 2 of them with air tools while pulling mine off.
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Old May 24, 2002 | 01:57 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by I8COBRA:
<strong>We broke off 2 of them with air tools while pulling mine off.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's the easiest way sometimes - just break them off. Put a pipe on the handle of the ratchet or wrench to get some leverage.
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Old May 24, 2002 | 09:10 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

PB Blaster is the ****! It works so much better than WD-40
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Old May 24, 2002 | 11:07 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by I8COBRA:
<strong>I agree that those bolts are stock on there pretty good. We broke off 2 of them with air tools while pulling mine off.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">FLP and most shops say they use air tools. So this is an air compressor and what!!!?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> Im borrowing one from my friend, but what tools do i need to get up in and down into places like the header bolts. Obviously some kind of extension. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> !!!???
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Old May 24, 2002 | 08:20 PM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

The 'air tools' comment was probably just a good impact gun. This is where spending a little extra on tools pays off big time. I have removed nuts and bolts that I swore would snap without issues. I think the trick is having a good air gun that has good internals to produce quick hard hits. The rust almost works as a lube at that point.

If you don't have the air tools though, soaking with WD40 and waiting till it's really in there works pretty good. But when using regular hand tools, I usually end up snapping some off.
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Old May 25, 2002 | 12:16 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

I had to break all six of mine off and I was just using hand tools. So much for stainless exhaust, does not do you any good if you use carbon steel bolts.

Gary
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Old May 27, 2002 | 10:42 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

First get something better than WD-40. Dont get me wrong, it is good stuff but it is not a real rust eater. PB blaster is a great product, and there are many more out there.

I soaked my cat bolts over night with a generic rust eater and then sprayed them again about 15 mins before I took them off. I have air tools but I got them off with hand tools and minimal effort.

One thing to try with sticky bolts that I have learned. When you first put the wrench on, try to crank the bolt a little bit tighter. That may just be enough to break the rust free so that you can take it off.

hope that helps some.

Andy
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Old May 27, 2002 | 10:46 AM
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Default Re: how do you remove rusted bolts?

PB Blaster!!
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