HELP!! One side Stock Cats and One side aftermarket Cats. Help!
 

Hello 370z members,

Last night, I decided to install my resonated test pipes. Everything went smooth until I got to the last TOP DEMON BOLT on the driver side, but is stripped.. unless I could somehow manage to put the socket Flat into the bolt and screw it out, but then with the long extension, it always flexes and push the socket out of the bolt position. After spending 4 hours on that one single BOLT, I decided to put everything back on the driver side and bring it to the shop, and just install the test pipes on my passenger since everything is out already. My passenger catalyst is shot the O2 Sensor bung got stuck on the O2 sensor while I was taking it out. So my problem is Driver side has stock Cats. And my Passenger side has Resonated Test Pipes. Is it okay for me to drive about 200 miles like that? The 370z is my only car and I need to get to work/school. Both of my O2 sensors are not on the car right now, I'm currently using the bolt that came with the test pipes to cover up the O2 Sensor hole.

Thank you in advance!

PS: installing test pipe is an easy task, it's just one stupid bolt with no room to work with!:bowrofl:

I used a 1/2" impact swiviel and socket with a 24" breaker bar and whatever extensions were needed.

It also helps to have a second set of hands under the car to make sure you are seated on the bolt properly. Oh and a fucton of PB blaster :tup:

I had to basically hold/make sure the socket was properly seated when doing the top bolts on cats. Sounds like you messed up pretty badly

the top half of the bolt is stripped but if it is seated flat on. it's still fine, but with the long as extension and all it's almost impossible to have the socket flat on... or whenever i do have it flat on, as soon as I put some force on the rachet, the socket budges out.. "Due to the long a** extension.

Although it's messed up. the shop can still handle this right? I don't really care what they do to the OEM cats. Cut it. or whatever. I just wanna get it done!

3/8" socket, extensions etc. Isnthe going to cut it.

I'm sure the shop it just torch it off

well lesson learned... haha
these darn 3/8 extensions are pretty flexible when it comes to a lot of torque needed to remove the bolt...

Any mechanic shop would be able to torch it off if needed to be right? or would I need to bring it to the muffler shop.

I'd call around, tell them your issue and pick the shop that sounds like they can handle it

Thanks bud, you've been a lot of help :)
I'll do that on Monday. But for the mean while is it okay for me to use the car though? although one side is running rich..

I'm not comfortable saying one way or the other.

And you're welcome :tiphat:

It will seat properly if you have someone below making sure it's 100% on there. From up top, the guys that were in charge of the breaker bar thought it was on there fully and it was way off from down below and that's where I came in as physically put the socket fully on the bolt. Get another guy and see if you can't do that. You don't really have much else to lose at this point

1/2 inch extensions, 1/2 inch swivel and three foot breaker bar will get it done. If you can get the socket seated give it a swift push forward and that bolt will snap making everything smooth sailing from there on. If the top of the head is rounded or stripped, get yourself some Irwin nut/bolt extractors.

I think the car is going to run like crap with one test pipe and one stock cat. The sensor readings are going to be so out of whack between banks. I wouldn't drive it. I'd be shocked if it didn't go into limp mode because it's so confused.

I'm almost to the point that i'ma about to spend a day removing the subframe.. just so I can remove the bolt...

I would soak it in pb blaster and do all of the above before I considered pulling the subframe. Make sure you have a buddy hold the socket on the bolt if it keeps slipping.

[QUOTE=Chuck33079;3019574]I would soak it in pb blaster and do all of the above before I considered pulling the subframe. Make sure you have a buddy hold the socket on the bolt if it keeps slipping.[/QUOTE

would using my Impact gun and 1/2 Extension/Socket be good?

Depends on how big a pair of balls your impact has. Personally I'd go buy all the 1/2" extensions and swivels you need as well as a 3 foot breaker bar. Have someone keep the socket on the nut and go to town on it. The last demon bolt I tangled with I had all the above and I still needed to stand on a chair and put all my body weight into the breaker bar.

Make sure the o2 sensor is removed before you use that impact. That tends to kill o2 sensors.

Will do! My O2 isn't installed right now...
But thanks chuck! I'ma go buy some 1/2 tools, and i'll get back to ya on how this is gonna turn out lol

Soak it in pb blaster before you leave. That stuff needs time to penetrate. Use a ton of that stuff.

Yep, soak that bastard! You can do it. Don't let these demon bolts defeat you. You will be much happier in the end. Make sure you have plenty of lighting down there too so you can see the socket end engage and seat. Use an extra set of hands if need be. Also always make sure you have everything you need before getting started. I bought the nut/bolt extractors and fortunately ended up not needing them but sure glad I had them just in case:tup:

I'm defeated... I spent 70 dollars on extension at Harbor Freight today... going to return some tomorrow lol... Only need a set, I can't imagine when will I ever need these again if ever... I'ma call up some shop tomorrow and see if they can do anything about it. If not, i'll just bring it to ProjectX in Chicago. I'm pretty sure they have OWNED this bolt many times Stripped or Not...

Anyways, here's the story...
I got some PB blaster and soaked it, sprayed it every 20 minutes for the first 4 times. sprayed another time an hour later... went to Harbor Freight and got myself some Chipotle. 4 hours later came back home. worked on it. and It was impossible to get the bolts off by hand. I was under the car holding down the bolt and extension so it wouldn't budge off the bolt. We put a lot of force to it. but then the bolt finally gave up and stripped more and more on the bottom every time we it budges off. Now.. it is time to use the impact gun.. worked way better than using a rachet and a breaker all. The socket stayed seated in there quite well. My electric Dewalt impact gun is pretty strong... the bolt didn't even bother to move... last attempt, put the rachet and breaker bar back... that's when we knew it's time to clean up...

At a professional shop like ProjectX, there's no doubt that they could get it right?
Although it's stripped, I still would like to know what would the professional use to get it out?

Btw, thanks for the help guys! Im glad I finally invested in some 1/2" Impact Sockets, it feels much better than regular socket.

After reading this, I believe I will pay a shop to install my TPs.

Sounds like you have had a terrible time with this. Hope the shop takes care of it for ya!

I've done two sets and the demom bolt broke all four times. Since you don't reuse it it doesn't matter.

Don't be scared to install test pipes it's easy, I've done it before just got really bad luck. Just make sure the Socket is seated dead on the bolt, mine was on the bolt at an angle but I didn't realize that for the first few times until it started to stripped which is the reason why it caused all the trouble. If I ever have to do it again, for a buddy or whoever. I'll take the challenge on again. I did 2 350z, they were all out easy... All the bolts on the 370z came out except the one driver side demon bolt. Yes i'm defeated but because it was of my mistake.
"I wasn't ready...."- Kevin Hart.

i was thinking about using a hand saw blade and maybe try to saw it down. but I told myself... don't even... lol

I was tempted at first too after reading the horror stories but then I got some quotes from a couple of shops and said screw that! I got quotes that ranged from $200-400:confused: Took a crack at myself and glad I did:happydance:

They will cut it out with a torch, guaranteed.

Lucky for me, my buddy is a master tech at Honda and we can use his lift. How quickly can it be done with a lift you think?

sawzall solves all problems :stirthepot:

I did both of mine in under two hours using jacks and jack stands while taking a few beer breaks. A lift might save you a half hour.

I'm bringing it to ProjectX next Sunday. It's gonna be like 90 bucks. since i only need to one side of my car... lol

Ran into a simular problem... when doing a buddys car... we had to take a plasma cutter and zap the head of the bolt off... Worked like a charm took like 5 min...:tup: