This is usually a two hour exercise by myself, but after 3 hours, I'm still where I started. The problem is with the 3 bolts Honda uses on the cat to the exhaust system. For some reason there's always 1 bolt that gets stripped, and this time it's no exception (this is my third time removing the exhaust). I went ahead and got the bolt and spare nut ($15!) from the dealership, fully expecting the bolt to be stripped when I remove it. Now I've removed 2 of them, but the third is so stripped (nut or the bolt, or both), the nut spins freely in the bolt, but doesn't come off at all. I tried prying it with a $30 hammer and I tried to pry it off with a variety of tools to no avail. My final and only option that I can think of now is to cut the bolt.

Any recommendations? I wonder why Honda came up with such a shiiiitttttyyyy design on the nut?!

 

Torch.

 

Oh? what kind? Home Depot carry them? Just torch the bolt, right?

 

it's hard , but best bet is to cut it off. Try a dremel with a wheel.

 

I agree, Dremel.

 

I ran into the same problem with 1 bolt and decided to let the professionals do this install. I tightened up the 2 remaining functional bolts and headed out. The HKS exhaust fit nicely in the trunk since it comes in 4 pieces.

Back to the topic....

After they removed the entire exhaust, they just hit the bolts out with a big hammer. They do come out! The used 3 stainless steel bolts and nuts to install the HKS exhaust.

Good luck Richard!

 

There's a simple tool that a friend owned many years ago called a "nut cracker" which had three arms, connected at one end, and a central threaded spindle. The other end of the arms slotted under the nut, and you just tightened the spindle. I've never seen one in Home Base or Home Depot, but I'll bet any decent garage will have one (or something similar) that you may be able to rent or borrow.

 

I've seen those nut crackers at Sears. Maybe you should try there.

 

Nut Cracker would work, or do as I have in the past. Take the car by Midas or CarX and let then blow it off with a torch. Usually charge your $5-10, and it sure makes it easy!!

 

Hey Richard-
You need to use a "nut splitter". Some here call them nut crakers (LOL). Anyway go to any auto part store and ask for a nut splitter. It will help if you take in a nut of similar size.

P.S. They work great! I split about 12 nuts a few years back when I rtestored a 1955 MG TF 1500.