Is there a trick to removing the three upper catalytic converter bolts? I soaked them with liquid wrench and got to them from the top with long socket extensions, but I just can't get them to break loose. There's got to be a better way, short of paying someone with impact wrenches. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

just gotta use some elbow grease. yeh, they're a PITA..

we just used some wd40, and about 30" of extensions, LOL. yeh, ridiculous.

good luck

btw - we removed some heat shield that were getting in our way and gave us a 'lil more room to work with.

 

I use two 1/2 inch extension (one is 20" long & another is 8" or 10" long don't remember for sure) to get the two bolts that you can get from the top. Connect it to a swivel universal joint then to a 14mm 6points socket then have a friend guide it on to the bolt from under the car. I then from above used a Bluepoint electric impact gun and break loose the bolt.

Very easy if you have power tools, but if you don't have access to power tool. You will need some long 1/2 inch breaker bar to break loose the bolt. Be very careful not to strip the bolt. Don't pull on the breaker bar to break loose the bolt because this will easy strip the bolt. Hold the extension down tight and tap on the breaker bar, doing this will make it like an impart action and help the bolt come loose easier.

After you get the cats out you will need a 7/8 inch or a 22mm oxygen sensor socket to remove the oxygen sensor. Try not to damage the oxygen sensors when remove it because they cost around $160.00 at Infiniti dealer.

I hope this help you out a bit.

Bolt on the new HFC and enjoy your new toys.

 

Right on with the bolt removal...The extensions were a life saver!

Any advise on how to re-install the bolts so you don't have a leak? My bolts are all tight, but I'm getting a hiss (can't stand it).

 

Those bolts don't require a lot of torque (~40-45 ft/lbs) so it most likely has nothing to do with the tightening. If you're getting a leak, chances are the HFC/TP flanges are not true or the gasket isn't good. Either issue is not easy to fix at all.

 

just installed my test pipes last night. I used 2 20" extensions and an impact gun for those 2 top bolts and it worked great. I don't know how else I would have got them out.

 

I was thinking about doing this myself but don't have access to the power tools. So I just took it in and had the guys at GRD here in Chicago knock it out for me.

What brand of impact tools are you guys using? I need to invest in some. I want to do my brakes next

 

I just used some extensions and cranked it down with my muscles!

No problems.

 

I would suggest some antiseize incase you want to remove them later. Thread cleaning kits are also a good idea.

 

bump for those who are curious

 

old thread but came in hand. Glad I joined the forum.

 

I just did this by myself like two weeks ago. You have to use a **** load of extensions unless you have a couple long ones and a universal joint. I don't have no leaks but I do have an annoying *** rattle at 2500rpm coming from my Y pipe coupler...can't wait till I get my exhaust to take care of that. Those bolts are a major pain in the *** though.

 

Bump because I will be doing this soon. I also read to not use impact tools because they may damage O2 sensors..

 

Pretty much what most people stated here is your best bet. Also in my case I put the bolts in the other way for future changes which came in handy when I went from TPs to Resonated TPs

 

Key to using the impact gun is to remove the sensor before you start working on the OE cat bolts. There are two bolts on each side that require a very long extension and an elbow for easier access. What I did was to buy new OE gaskets since there quality is far superior to aftermarket removing any chance of having leaks....installed correctly.
Gary