HELP!! Rounded PITA top CAT bolt

Trips

try a short extractor socket 1/2'' and bang into the sripped head of the bolt and use a high impact universal with long extnsions with a 3/4'' adapter with a 3/4'' breaker bar you need help one to keep the socket from slipping out and the other to break it free... I mentioned high impact universal swival due to regular ones snapping even the 14mm socket should be high impact I broke two craftsman sockets trying to break the top bolt free.... if too much trouble have a muffler shop deal with it..

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abakja1

I was using a 3/4" sockets and extentions, but at the top I used a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter to 1/2" breaker bar. That way I can get more torque and leverage to get the bolt off.

I have a Sears stripped bolt extractor and taped it to the socket and used the method above. The extractor socket just slipped and came off, but after watching some youtube videos, they also banged the extractor socket over the stripped head. When the socket slipped, i noticed it was the tip of the socket and banging it onto the head might get more surface area. Problem is, if this doesnt work, hopefully the socket wont get stuck to the nut head as i don't see a way to get it off and one would have to drive around with a socket on exhaust bolt head.....

Worse case too, if the nut head totally breaks off, how does one separae the 2 flanges with the threaded bolt stock joining the header flange and cat,...this would seem worse IMO