Header install problem

Devman

Member
:
2002 Protege 5
I'm at my wit's end. The spring loaded bolts holding the header to the 2nd cat pipe will not budge. I'm using a 14mm wrench and it's the bolt on the spring side of the flange. Am I trying to get off the wrong side?

Someone help me out- tips, tricks, whatever.

Devman
 
Devman said:
I'm at my wit's end. The spring loaded bolts holding the header to the 2nd cat pipe will not budge. I'm using a 14mm wrench and it's the bolt on the spring side of the flange. Am I trying to get off the wrong side?

Someone help me out- tips, tricks, whatever.

Devman
Dont have any real tips for you, but just let you know that I had the same problem. I busted up my knuckles pretty good when it finally did let go, so watch out. PBBlaster? Wd40? And let it soak overnight maybe.

Edit: If you just cant get it, you might just take the exhaust loose behind the cat (where it attaches to your cat-back). Then you can put it in a vise or something and beat the crap out of it. :)

good luck,
scorch70
 
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when we took mine off the car was on stands, put the socket on the bolts and braced against the car from outside using your foot to push the socket. it took a while but that did it, otherwise you can't get leverage. also soak some wd40 on there for 10mins.
 
I put mine on ramps 'cause it makes everything easier. Problem is that with the socket I can't get to the second bolt- I don't have any room. I'm just gonna take it to a muffler shop and have them burn the buggers off with a oxy-acetelyne torch.

Devman
 
yeah when worse comes to worse that area of undercarriage is pretty unforgiving. good luck dude, and you'll love the header
 
Thanks, bro. I've been following your install more or less, actually. It's really easy, with the exceptions of these damn spring bolts and wiring up the MIL eliminator.

Devman
 
cool cool, yeah i am no soldering master but after 10 mins follow the mil fix how-to i had it rewired, taped up and installed. 4k miles and no CEL. just watch where the 2nd o2 wire sits, mine was partially melted by resting on the header. fixed that with 2 zip ties :)
 
If theres anyway you can get your hands on an impact wrench, it will make that so much easier. But....im pretty sure you knew that :D
 
Yeah, I just don't have a 14mm deep socket, and my impact wrench is an electric one... But it's a hell of alot better than my hands can do, so I'll probably give it a try.

Devman
 
get a couple of wrenches...i had a wrench and a MUCH larger wrench that i used as a breaker bar...it was a b****...but i got it done...oh, and i used TONS of WD-40
 
see this is what I iss the most from living in AZ, my dad had a grarage that had tools from 30 yrs of automotive experience, i couldnt imagine a tool(short of a lift or a dyno) that he didnt have. so many times I would get stuck on something like this and he would be soak it with some indutrial s***, hit is with the impact gun and have everything done in a 1/4 the time it took me to figure the instructions.

I guess this means it is my turn to start building up my tool inventory, sucks though when your renting/strapped on cash/starting from nothing.

anyone wanna get me on monster garage or something so I can get that 3500dollar set of mac tools? =)

/rant off
 
It's on. It's been done since 8pm. I had all kinds of troubles with this thing, but man does it move now. It changed the exhaust note, though. It's higher than it was, strangely. With the stock manifold and my magnaflow exhaust it was a sweeeeet low purr, now it's more.... ricey?

Food for thought,
Devman
 
What diameter is your exhaust? I'm hoping my header doesn't change my exhaust sound in a bad way, since it sounds so good now....
 
2.25- it's just more throaty and a little louder. I couldn't hear it very well before so I went driving and listened to it. It's got more bite in the bark- and I'm in love with this car again.

Devman
 
Awesome......adding a header to this very restrictive car will have anyone fall in love with it.
 
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