I installed an HKS muffler on my 2006 sedan, using the bracket, bolts and hangers as required. I got it all figured out, but I couldn't get the bracket bolts into the holes. Maybe it was because the holes have never been used, but I was only able to get one bolt part of the way in. I couldn't get the other bolt to catch the threads in either of the other two holes.

I eventually grabbed an extra 10mm bolt and got that one part way in as well, so the bracket is currently being held in by two part-way in bolts.

I know I didn't start them at an angle, and I tried all my best efforts to get them to work. I feel like if I try to tighten the other bolts any more, they'll strip the threads inside (I think I started to strip them on one of the bolts that's in there.

Has anyone encountered this before? Any solutions?

When I had my HKS sports exhaust installed on my 2006 G35 Sport in July 2010, the holes were not completely threaded. The Infiniti technician had to finish threading the holes with a hand held thread reamer.

Good to know...that sounds like that could be my problem as well.

Question now is do I get something to thread the holes (helicoil?), pay someone to rethread them, or have a shop weld that bracket on there? The only drawback I see to that would be if it's in the way if I return it to stock, but it doesn't appear to be.

I had no issues with my HKS install on my 03 sedan, I bought it used tho so maybe the original owner figured out the issue and I didn't have to.

On your 03, the bracket would have already been in use, and therefore the holes would have been threaded properly.

03 & 06 have different exhaust brackets? I knew they had diff midpipes but I had no idea about anything else lol, you learn something new everyday.

No issues on my 05 when I ran the HKS. Bolted right up.