[335i101]

So, I got my DP's...got the cover off the bottom of the car. (step 1)

Step 2 was to remove nuts from existing DP using 12mm socket....I couldn't get the socket to turn by hand, went to the impact wrench...it got it to turn but pretty much stripped it...

Ya, so I made it to step 2 and am now stuck....

[bahn stormer]

Ouch.
Try soaking with BP Blaster and then use a Gatorgrip Socket on the stripped nut.

[bahn stormer]

Here is what I am talking about:

http://www.endeavorproducts.com/

I think they have them at Walmart.

[335i101]

Originally Posted by bahn stormer

Ouch.
Try soaking with BP Blaster and then use a Gatorgrip Socket on the stripped nut.

Thanks, heading to the store now....

[Brey335i]

Liquid Wrench took care of it for me the first time I was installing downpipes

[335i101]

Bought gator grip...called AA they said buy an extractor.

Will gator do the same thing?? Or should I go to hardware store too??

Walmart only had the gator and dont want to go home and head right back to town for extractor....

[bahn stormer]

Its up to you. They are both trying to accomplish the same thing. If time is most important to you, buy the extractor in case the Gator Grip doesn't work then return it if you don't need it.

[wren57]

Not to be an ass, but if you're stuck at step 2 I recommend taking it to a shop. The install doesn't get any easier from here.

[335i101]

I am admitting defeat....time spent 3 hours, trips to the store 3, I know own a gator grip that isn't deep enough to get around nut, extractor (with not enough clearance to get to bolt head) and a 22mm wrench (for the O2 sensors I never got to use, two stripped exhaust nuts, took a day off of work, tried BP, liquid wrench, DW-40, closed end wrench, deep wall socket an finally impact wrench...Nuts never moved...

I have done full exhaust systems in the past and never had this tough of a time....

Time to return the DP's and forget this day ever happened!!!

[wren57]

SO what you're saying is that you couldn't get the nuts off the mounted bolts at the DP->catback connection? Do you park outside in WI or something? Rust must be really bad? How far were you able to back the nuts off before they stripped? What caused the nuts to strip? Wrong size socket? Or are you saying the bolt is stripped and now they won't come off? What exactly is going on?

What psi did you have your compressor set to? Soak in WD40 overnight and try again.

[335i101]

Originally Posted by wren57

SO what you're saying is that you couldn't get the nuts off the mounted bolts at the DP->catback connection? Do you park outside in WI or something? Rust must be really bad? How far were you able to back the nuts off before they stripped? What caused the nuts to strip? Wrong size socket? Or are you saying the bolt is stripped and now they won't come off? What exactly is going on?

What psi did you have your compressor set to? Soak in WD40 overnight and try again.

I used 12mm sockets, I do park in the garage but I also do drive the car in winter, it is closing in on 70k and is an late 06' production.

I didn't however soak the nuts over night, compressor was set at 90psi.

After trying the rachet and wrench I went to the impact wrench....that's where the stripping came in...also on my car/model the head-end of the bolt is completely flat (from what I researched the "newer" models have a bolt "head" that you can grab on to with a wrench so you can work it lose by turning the bolt and the nut...if that makes sense.

I called and have two apt.s for estimates....what is a fair price for this job (plus removing the stripped nuts)????

[335i101]

Trying to post a pic but don't know how on mobile app....

[335i101]

Originally Posted by wren57

SO what you're saying is that you couldn't get the nuts off the mounted bolts at the DP->catback connection? Do you park outside in WI or something? Rust must be really bad? How far were you able to back the nuts off before they stripped? What caused the nuts to strip? Wrong size socket? Or are you saying the bolt is stripped and now they won't come off? What exactly is going on?

What psi did you have your compressor set to? Soak in WD40 overnight and try again.

Since I cant figure out how to post a pic here us link to video
[u2b]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9Eo5CiOsk4

[bahn stormer]

Sorry man.
A picture would help.

1. Can you grind off the studs that are protruding beyond the nuts so that the Gator Grip will fit on the nuts? I have done this before on another similar problem.

2. Seems obvious also but can you get vice grips on the nuts?

3. Not sure what kind of extractor you have but there is one type that you slip around the nut and then tighten a protruding edge piece until the nut splits.

4. Better soak those O2 sensors now. You are going to have similar problems.

[cn555ic]

:Best thing to do is heat it up and break off the bolt...simple as that.

[bahn stormer]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

:Best thing to do is heat it up and break off the bolt...simple as that.

True.
Actually just hitting it with a torch could help free it up enough to get off with vice grips.

[335i101]

[335i101]

This storm may have played a part in it....

[335i101]

.......

[bahn stormer]

Accessibility looks pretty good there.

You could probably even cut off the studs with a hacksaw and then go with the Gator Grip. I do like the heat idea also. I would say Sawzall but you might accidentally tag something else.

[335i101]

Any night owls up... I have an early AM apt to install DP's what is a fair price

[335iLI]

Originally Posted by 335i101

Any night owls up... I have an early AM apt to install DP's what is a fair price

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