Exhaust bolts removal

[kitchman]

Happy Holidays to all!
Besides using a cutting torch or plasma cutter has anyone had success in removing the two bolts that join the cat flange to the next middle pipe. The nuts which take a 14 mm wrench are still in good shape and have been sprayed for weeks with liquid wrench. Already tried heat but can't really get anything of substance onto the nut. The shape of the cat at this nut site prevents getting a box wrench or socket onto the nut. Was thinking of grinding the small section of the cat in order to get on a socket and use a impact driver?

[ARCHINSTL]

How about using a grinder disc on a flex shaft attached to a Dremel tool?
When installing exhaust-related bolts, ALWAYS slather on anti-seize - and also on the exposed threads on the o/s of the nut; the stuff adheres for years!
Tom M.

[kitchman]

Thanks Tom,
I tried that on an exhaust bolt on a Jeep Liberty. What happens though is that because the disks are round you can't completely cut/slice the nut with out cutting into what the nut is snugged to.
Thanks again for the heads up PM on the rain leak question!

[dlb]

why not cut the bolts off with a grinder and get new nuts and bolts for reassembly? if they are that corroded, it's not worth wrestling with them.

[xirdneh]

I use an angle grinder and cut away some of the cat converter aluminum shield too
Use 1\16 thick blade

[kitchman]

The 4 inch angle grinder with a thin blade wins!!
What need be done is cut the head off the bolt from the flange on the opposite side of the cat, then you don't have to deal with cat body in the way.
Thanks again for the replies!

[atoyta]

I replaced those with stainless the last time I pulled it apart. Much nicer to remove if needed.