RMS - Broken Downpipe Bolts

LarryJ

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2018
Messages
14
Location
Massachusetts, USA
Hi All,

Doing RMS on an 02 TJ, and you need to drop exhaust to get the oil pan out.

I have the double mini cat setup, and was able to get one side of the downpipr flange connection loose, but on the other pipe both bolts are becoming a nightmare. One wont budge, the other has started to round off, and the capture nut (?) With the bushing it threads into has sheared off, so the bolt just spins.

Any ideas? I hate to screw the oil pan back, fill it with oil, probably have it leak and pay a shop 500+ to do this for 2 bolts...
 
Fwiw I already tried vice grips to clamp the broken nut back to the flange, no luck.

Could cut it but not much room..would be cutting blind basically.
 
Thanks Mike, that's just what I did. Was a huge pita, but I cut them both out successfully...now I need to tackle the ones connecting the flange to the muffler.

Appreciate the help.
 
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Reactions: Mike_H
Glad you got it. I was REALLY afraid those bolts were going to break on me when I replaced my oil pan too. I managed to get them out ok. Replaced them with new when I pout it back together. Not sure how I would have done it without pulling the fender.