2011 135i N55 downpipe removal v-band problem

LoloHaole · 10-10-2020, 11:11 PM

Hi 1 Addicts,

I'm trying to install a catless downpipe, but getting the v-band off the factory downpipe is proving to be a major problem. The bolt is oriented to the 6 o'clock position, directly above the engine mount bracket. It's an insanely tight space, and I can't even get a socket onto it securely enough to begin to loosen it.

Has anyone else run into this? Any tips? At this stage it looks like I'm going to have to remove the bracket from the engine and the motor mount just to get to that v-band bolt.

Every video I've seen where they actually showed the v-band bolt, it was in the 3 o'clock position so I'm not sure wtf is up with my car.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
LH

dtla1 · 10-15-2020, 11:57 AM

Try to get a looong extension and come at it from the side. I think that's what I remember working for me, it was about 4 years ago now though so I might not be 100%.

LoloHaole · 10-15-2020, 12:47 PM

Thanks for replying. I wish I could do that. It would work if the bolt head was facing the outside, but it's facing the engine. Maybe it was an error in the assembly process... I don't know.

I've resigned myself to having to remove the engine mount bracket, and while I'm in there I'm going to upgrade my motor mounts. I have new bolts for the bracket on the way from FCP, as well as mounts from 034 motorsports. I read that the bolts on that right side bracket can break, so that'll be one less thing down the road.

(The bolts on the left side mount bracket are much thicker so I'm not going to worry about them)

Jeef · 10-18-2020, 10:10 AM

6 o'clock is the oem position. No need to remove motor mount to install downpipes

LoloHaole · 10-26-2020, 10:33 PM

Is OEM also with the bolt head facing the engine block? I wasn't able to get a wrench on it from the 6 oclock position and the bolt facing the block. Once I removed the motor mount bracket, it was an easy job. I also replaced the motor mounts while I was at it and replaced the bolts for the bracket.

Now I'm onto a new headache, but that needs its own post...

10-10-2020, 11:11 PM	#1
LoloHaole New Member 4 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Kona, HI iTrader: (0)	2011 135i N55 downpipe removal v-band problem Hi 1 Addicts, I'm trying to install a catless downpipe, but getting the v-band off the factory downpipe is proving to be a major problem. The bolt is oriented to the 6 o'clock position, directly above the engine mount bracket. It's an insanely tight space, and I can't even get a socket onto it securely enough to begin to loosen it. Has anyone else run into this? Any tips? At this stage it looks like I'm going to have to remove the bracket from the engine and the motor mount just to get to that v-band bolt. Every video I've seen where they actually showed the v-band bolt, it was in the 3 o'clock position so I'm not sure wtf is up with my car. All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, LH
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10-15-2020, 11:57 AM	#2
dtla1 Colonel 828 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (2)	Try to get a looong extension and come at it from the side. I think that's what I remember working for me, it was about 4 years ago now though so I might not be 100%.
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10-15-2020, 12:47 PM	#3
LoloHaole New Member 4 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Kona, HI iTrader: (0)	Thanks for replying. I wish I could do that. It would work if the bolt head was facing the outside, but it's facing the engine. Maybe it was an error in the assembly process... I don't know. I've resigned myself to having to remove the engine mount bracket, and while I'm in there I'm going to upgrade my motor mounts. I have new bolts for the bracket on the way from FCP, as well as mounts from 034 motorsports. I read that the bolts on that right side bracket can break, so that'll be one less thing down the road. (The bolts on the left side mount bracket are much thicker so I'm not going to worry about them)
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10-18-2020, 10:10 AM	#4
Jeef Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,945 Posts Drives: AW E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	6 o'clock is the oem position. No need to remove motor mount to install downpipes
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10-26-2020, 10:33 PM	#5
LoloHaole New Member 4 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Kona, HI iTrader: (0)	Is OEM also with the bolt head facing the engine block? I wasn't able to get a wrench on it from the 6 oclock position and the bolt facing the block. Once I removed the motor mount bracket, it was an easy job. I also replaced the motor mounts while I was at it and replaced the bolts for the bracket. Now I'm onto a new headache, but that needs its own post...
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