Removal of stock cats easy
 

I have to tell you, my experience of removing the cats was easy. I feel that everyone that is using a swivel is where the problem lies. It's not needed. I was worried about it from all the stories I've heard. So this is what I did.

I completly removed the OEM intake for I'm also installing Stillen Gen3 intakes. This alone opens all the room need to remove the bolt from the cats. Even if your not installing after market intakes, remove the OEM intakes completly to make the removal of the bolt off of each cats easier.

After this I took a 20'' and 10'' extension combined. This is the perfect length needed. Plus I had a 14mm impact socket (highly recommended) and 20'' breaker bar. I need to mention that two days ago I did spray these bolts with PB blaster on two different occasion to help aid in the removal. This might as well help alot also. But I started with the passenger side. Slide the extension down to the bolt, make sure it "seats" straight on. Add the breaker bar. And it will require some soild effort but it popped loose pretty easy. Really wasn't much diiferent from any nut/ bolt from the suspension parts. If you've messed with these. Once broke free I used a standered ratchet.

Then move to the driver side. Same way as passenger. The driver side does have a steering linkage right by the same bolt. But it is just enough out of the way not to use an swivel. Another straight shot. For me this bolt was really easy. Must of been my lucky today.

But overall I believe that not using the swivel is the key. I think using a swivel and the angles that are created cause much pain for most. This is my experience and hope it helps you guys that might do this install.

Glad it worked out easy for you, I hope to never go against this again. I had two demon bolts. One on each stock cat.

Yea I could see how they could be a pain and be set in there pretty tough. But for me the two most important thing were to spray the PB blaster (on both sides of the "demon" bolt) well in advance and not using the swivel.

demon bolt is a killer. luckly with my test pipes i didnt get that. Glad it went smooth

I felt that it was not half as bad as most make it out to be, I still had to work to get the passenger side top bolt off though and it eventually sheared. This is with a 30" breaker bar and impact grade extensions. I also did not even loosen the passenger side intake but I did have to loosen the driver's side to access that bolt but it is a very straight forward and reasonably easy task.

most of the problems with the "demon bolts" come from guys who strip it using either cheap sockets or 12 points or don't seat on it all the way, mine were stuck HARD after blowing up one u joint i went straight at it and both bolts had to be twisted in two because the nut was not F'n moving. If you strip them out then yeah you're in for a trip to the shop to have them torched.

Edit: Also i had to shove a 4ft jack handle over my breaker bar

12 point sockets are not worth a flip. At least for these types of bolts. Impact sockets FTW. When I was changing over to my coilovers I wasn't thinking and put a 12 point socket on the the nut that holds on the shock and it slipped. Then I realized what I did but it was still ok after that.

+1 hahaha


op that is awesome, you got saved from a headache

^ I know. Usually nothing goes right for me. But as I stated, I feel not using the swivel is the key to getting the proper amount of torque needed to help. As we all know extensions and swivels especially take away from actual torque being applied.

It is very easy to use all the extensions and sockets to get to the 'demon' bolts without using a swivel, I did not have to use a swivel and that definitely helped seat the socket on the bolt much more securely.

It is crucial to get that prepwork down as far as penetrating lube is concerned, although another trick is to start the car for a few minutes and let the bolts warm up and expand which makes them come off easier.

When you have done this >8 times it gets nice and quick.... ;-)

I used a swivel and had a friend under the car holding it in place as we removed the bolts. First try with a little effort and no broken bolts. Just had to lube it up first and push slow and steady on the breaker bar.

That's another thing I love about working on are cars. Getting familiar with it all. The more you do it you cut your time in half. Plus remembering what size wrenches and sockets needed without guessing.

Damn, and all the trouble i went through...:p nice man, niceee