How hard is it to remove and install an exhaust?

F

Fire0nic3FX

Member
I was wondering how hard would it be to remove my old exhaust and install my new Megan Exhaust on my G35 sedan?

I'm thinking about doing it myself as a backyard diy kind of thing. I have all the neccessary things like 2 jack stands, floor jack, socket set, break bar etc etc. But was wondering if I should tackle it myself? A local shop wants $100-$150 to install. Might be worth the cash if it saves me from a headache.

The easy part to me would be removal the bolts of the flanges. But I'm worried I might get stuck at removal the hanger from the rubber bushing.

This is a catback system so it has the midpipe and the muffler. I'm kind of afraid getting the exhaust off and not being able to get it back on or something. I figured it wouldnt be too hard as I've done belts, spark plugs, and all 4 rotors and pads myself. So how hard could be changing an exhaust out??
 
Cat back exhaust are relatively simple to do. Make sure that you soak the bolts the night before with some wd40 to help loosen some of the rust. You can go to harbor freight or online and get a tool to help you with the rubber exhaust hangers. You can do them by hand but the tool makes it a thousand times easier. If you have to, the two back hangers can be removed from the body with two bolts. I just performed this on my 2013 and it took about an hour. I was slow and methodical so you can probably do it faster.
 
Its rather easy. just take your time. i put my nismo exhaust myself with no experience. The hardest part is taking the nuts and bolts off as some may snap off from rust. Be careful not to snap the bolt that is part of the cats. use lots of perpetrating lube. As for the hangers, use some wd 40/ lube and spray on the rubber hangers and the hangers will slide right out with no issues.
 
Yep, jimmij is rihgt, the bolts can be pain in the arse.... I just tried to swap stock cats for some hi-flow ones, got stock at the y-pipe. All four bolts are super rusted and would not go... Of course, I did not soak them in wd40 night before, might try that next weekend. I would get some ramps. I picked a pair of RhinoRamps MAX (up to 16k lbs, http://www.rhinoramps.com/) for $50 at the local AutoZone.
 
I didn't even know there was a tool for rubber hangers. I use liquid hand soap for removal and install. Once it dries, no more slippy pippy.
 
See that's what I'm afraid of is the bolts snapping. I have almost 100K miles and I'm sure they are rusted pretty bad.

How do I keep them from snapping if they are probably stuck? I will use some WD40 though.

And does righty tighty and lefty loosey apply to the bolts in this situation?
 
I am interested to hear this as well. Is there maybe a special product that can be used on rusted bolts (besided wd40)?

Fire0nic3FX said:
See that's what I'm afraid of is the bolts snapping. I have almost 100K miles and I'm sure they are rusted pretty bad.

How do I keep them from snapping if they are probably stuck? I will use some WD40 though.

And does righty tighty and lefty loosey apply to the bolts in this situation?
Click to expand...
 
I installed the g37 muffler on my fx myself. toughest part of it all was the rubber hangers. i used motor oil to make it slide out smooth.
 
I had 60k on my FX and two bolts snapped on mine. What i learned is to use an impact motion to loosen the nuts. If you go caveman on the nut using force it will snap. You need to tap on the ratchet like you would with a hammer. Another great way to loosen is to get a impact wrench, and loosen it with that. It will free the nut so quick nd break off any rudt without snapping a bolt

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 PM ----------

Also and if you do have trouble loosening the bolts. I would torch the nut. You should buy one from autozone. It does wonders
 
Dracula said:
I had 60k on my FX and two bolts snapped on mine. What i learned is to use an impact motion to loosen the nuts. If you go caveman on the nut using force it will snap. You need to tap on the ratchet like you would with a hammer. Another great way to loosen is to get a impact wrench, and loosen it with that. It will free the nut so quick nd break off any rudt without snapping a bolt

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 PM ----------

Also and if you do have trouble loosening the bolts. I would torch the nut. You should buy one from autozone. It does wonders
Click to expand...



What do you mean by impact motion on the ratchet?
 
by banging on the end of the ratchet instead of pulling it to loosen

---------- Post added at 05:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------

heres another way [video=youtube;UcoBJmKE9h4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcoBJmKE9h4[/video]
 
use pb blaster. soak it for a long time. longer the better and reapply. get a rubber mallet and tap on your ratchet handle to simulate an impact. yes tighty righty rules apply lol.
 
Yeah, the jack is just going to make it even more likely to shear the bolt, that's a ton of torque.
 
Dracula said:
by banging on the end of the ratchet instead of pulling it to loosen

---------- Post added at 05:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 PM ----------

heres another way [video=youtube;UcoBJmKE9h4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcoBJmKE9h4[/video]
Click to expand...

now that's thinking outside the box lol
 
Ok I'll try the mallet. My exhaust is coming Tuesday morning so tomorrow I'll buy the PB Blaster and soak my nuts in them the night before. Hopefully they will come off easier.
 
ALso make sure when you use the mallet, make sure you hold the ratchet firm and straight so it doesn;t stress the bolt
 
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