Need advice on getting that damn rear brace off!

[sykosis]

I simply can't get the 4x T50 torx bolts off to remove the rear brace in order to change the mid-pipes. Already went through 2 bits. Stripped one bit with an impact gun and broke one using a breaker bar (hah the irony.)

PB Blaster soaked in, hit it with a hammer a couple of times... any other ideas on how to get these bolts off?

[Pig Farmer]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but make sure you're turning them in the correct direction. They are only torqued to 18 ft/lb from the factory.

[sykosis]

It's definitely over tightened then. The impact gun has a little arrow indicated forward or reverse

Yes I agree it shouldn't be this difficult, or else it would be a 12 or 14mm bolt that has little chance of stripping.

I may drill them out and just replace them.

[Pig Farmer]

I'm trying to remember if there's anything flammable around that plate (other than the fuel tank). If you're careful, you could try heating the bolts with a small propane torch. The heat expansion will help loosen the bolts and melt any loctite that may have been applied to the bolts.

[PhilTrill]

I typically use a manual impact driver to get them loose, not sure why but those bolts are always a pain on my car and even on other customer's cars.

[DietTab]

Mine came right out, although I did replace them with regular hex head bolts. I might still have them laying around if you need replacements.

[sykosis]

Thanks for the offer but when these come out, I'm going to replace them with regular hex bolts as well. She's going up on a lift on Thursday so I'll be able to try with an air impact instead of the electric one I'm currently using.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but make sure you're turning them in the correct direction. They are only torqued to 18 ft/lb from the factory.

When I did my mid pipes... they were torqued way more than 18 ft/lbs. I'd say more like ~90 ft/lbs.

OP - get yourself a higher quality torx bit. Cheap Chinese stuff won't cut it. SnapOn or the like. Should be only like $30 for one. That brace is there to prevent chassis flex - so they are fairly tight. Its important to reinstall them.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=674868

Dackel

[Stvee]

Mine were easy to take off so maybe someone already had them off at some point. Didn't need a breaker bar or anything.

However, I couldn't get the midpipe to downpipe nuts off. They were rusted so bad that no socket would fit them well enough to turn them without just sliding. Even hammering on a smaller socket and trying that wouldn't work. I'm taking my car to a shop tomorrow to have them get those 4 nuts off.

[lowbudgethero]

Must be the salty air in HI, if you don't have access to an oxy torch I'd use a lot of PBblaster and then wipe it clean then use a propane torch and get it near red hot, you should be able to get it with a breaker bar.

[///Mposter]

Use one of these. You can find it at orielys auto parts , or autozone. Use a hammer to hit it. Well that is if you have space to. It's spring loaded and is normally used to remove the bolts on rotors.