Exhaust manifold nuts! any tips on getting these things off?

[audiquattrot]

having a hell of a time trying to get a socket for the lower nuts (under the manifold).

tried regular wrench w another wrench mated to it for leverage, and the wrench keeps slipping off the nut.

Doused the nuts w PB blaster, and gonna give it another go tonight. Socket wrench doesn't seem to clear the manifold for a couple of the nuts underneath either.

tips on how you guys got these out?

[5Toes]

I just installed the exhaust on my m20b25 the other day. I used a 12mm combination wrench, but I used fresh studs and bolts - yours are pretty crusty huh?

2/3 of the nuts are accessible with a socket wrench using the right combo of extensions.

as far as under the manifold the two nuts closest to the front I used a socket, the other 4 I use a wrench.

a socket wrench is going to give you alot more leverage so do what you can to slip one in there, maybe use wobble extensions.

good luck! dont round them off bud! new nuts and studs are only about $12-15

[audiquattrot]

I just installed the exhaust on my m20b25 the other day. I used a 12mm combination wrench, but I used fresh studs and bolts - yours are pretty crusty huh?

2/3 of the nuts are accessible with a socket wrench using the right combo of extensions.

as far as under the manifold the two nuts closest to the front I used a socket, the other 4 I use a wrench.

a socket wrench is going to give you alot more leverage so do what you can to slip one in there, maybe use wobble extensions.

good luck! dont round them off bud! new nuts and studs are only about $12-15

Thanks man. I really wish I could fit a breaker bar in there. I wonder if being I have an iX (front subframe etc), its making it more difficult as far as room from underneath

I bought all new studs and nuts....although I do have a feeling I might strip a couple of these old ones....which i'm not sure how I'll get out if I do!

[5Toes]

yeah DONT strip them. 6pt sockets only here!

maybe even a 1/4" drive socket with a 3/8 adapter to gain a little extra clearance. get creative!

[TobyB]

I once welded a long bar onto a nice 12mm box end for just this-
getting the right angle's tricky...

t

[audiquattrot]

Well I stripped two underneath. All the other ones above came out wo a hitch. Now what lol.

I'm so screwed. Got anxious and tried to grab it w vice grips and still no bueno

[5Toes]

shit.

hopefully one of the extractor sockets will work for it?

which two are the stripped ones.

just unbolt the down pipes and pull the head off!!! :)

[audiquattrot]

I'm gonna see if I can scoop up one of those extractor sockets at harbor freight. The two I stripped were the two nuts under the 4th and 5th cylinder.

[doorman]

I've used the Irwin brand stripped nut/bolt extractor. I used them on the Allen boots on the diff/cv axle connection that someone stripped.

About $40 for the set I believe.

You do have to pound them on a bit first.

[Ether-D]

I'm late to this one, but the accepted and proper way to do it is with a 1/4" drive breaker bar. It can also be done with a 1/4" ratchet if they aren't too uckfayed. The Vice grip thing may work, but will likely pull the stud out as well cause when you grab it with them, it effectively locks the nut to the stud. Good luck guy.

[5Toes]

1/4" breaker bar now theres a good idea. will pick one up at HF for next time to try it out :)

[efficient]

My nut/thread spins when I loosen it. -__-

[e30onBBSs]

dremel. I had the same problem, but only one was a bitch. Dremel the nut in two places, pry the cut section out, then wiggle the manifold if the other half doesn't come free. You might mess up the studs a bit but the tiny cut into mine wasn't a problem. Could be a good time to replace those two studs too =)

Lots and lots of PB blaster too. wear safety glasses and be careful because shit is probably going to fall into your face.

[jaywood]

Pull the manifold from the head

[101]

dremel. I had the same problem, but only one was a bitch. Dremel the nut in two places, pry the cut section out, then wiggle the manifold if the other half doesn't come free. You might mess up the studs a bit but the tiny cut into mine wasn't a problem. Could be a good time to replace those two studs too =)

Lots and lots of PB blaster too. wear safety glasses and be careful because shit is probably going to fall into your face.

^^^ exactly what I had to do.

I had two stuck nuts on my IX when I did the exhaust manifold gaskets as well. I think they were the same ones you're having trouble with (#4 and #5, bottom). They were so old and rusted they were no longer the correct size, and the more I tried to get them off, the rounder they got.

Going back on, I used all new studs, new BMW copper coated nuts and anti-seize on the threads. Hopefully that makes it easier on the next guy.