So I'm in the process of removing my stock exhaust. I got the mufflers off, rubber hangers probably took the longest to figure out but it was simple overall. Now I'm stuck on the midpipe. It seems easy but the midpipe - y pipe bolts are stuck as a ****. I was hoping I wouldn't have this problem since I live in cali and don't really get vehicle rust.

I figured some of you guys would have gone through this before.. any tips?

PB blaster or wd40 & a cheater bar.

If you want to use the foolproof method you have to heat it up with a torch (MAKE SURE NO AEROSOLS PRESENT). This makes it break loose a whole lot easier.

Gonna let it soak with some WD40 overnight.. if nothing I'll probably run to the store and pick up some PB

Try cleaning off the bolts and nuts to remove any accumulated rust. PB Blaster or torch will be your best option. In the end I had to use a Sawzall to cut my midpipe off and Dremel those nuts off. It was a PITA!

breaker bar if you can get it off the ground high enough. otherwise penetrating oils like ^ said. then cut off the nut if you have to. ( last resort)

WD-40 is a water displacement fluid, NOT a proper penetrating lube. PB is ok for the fact that it's actually a penetrating oil, it's cheap, and available all over. But... If you really want the sh**, then get yourself some Kroil (best off the shelf) or mix up some tranny fluid with some acetone for a wicked home-brew. Short of a torch, those are your best bets.

PS. don't expect anything to work instantly; let it sit over night at least.

Damn. Never knew that, good info. Looked it up real fast an seems a magazine did a test on this seeing how much torque it took to break a rusted bolt created in a lab. I guess gonna pick up some kroil or make some atf/actone mix soon.


WD40...................238 LBS
PB Blaster ............214 LBS
Liquid Wrench.......127 LBS
Kano Kroil.............106 LBS
ATF -Acetone 50/50 mix ...53 lbs

Alright guys I broke down. After 2 days of PB and using my shitty cigarette lighter to heat up the bolt I'm not about to run to the store every day to pick something else up - just sending it over to the shop. Good news is theres a great muffler shop in my city that has a great reputation for not ripping people off. I'll update tomorrow.

Update - finally got it to the muffler shop, they charged me $40 and took 20 mins for an exhaust install (not bad!!). The guy at the shop got the bolts off with a loong breaker bar and a hammer (and a week of my PB sitting on it, lol).