Rusted Y-Pipe Bolt, What Next?

[u/swedecore]

Soaked for 2 nights in PB Blaster, propane torched to heat up. No budge, the nut seems slightly smaller than the socket that fits (15mm) and it starter to strip. What next? I could drill them out but I have done that before, and access was a pain, and went through way too many drill bits. What is the “pro move”, what would a shop do?

[u/PomegranateProper399]

Get yourself a 4” grinder at harbor freight if you don’t have one and just cut it off in 10 seconds

[u/TheAsianTroll]

Propane ain't hot enough. Hit that sucker with oxyacetylene. Can't be stuck if it's a liquid.

EDIT: if the nut is too small for 15mm but too big for 14mm, try imperial sizes. IIRC, a nut around that size would be about 5/8

[u/swedecore → u/TheAsianTroll]

5/8 is too big and then next size down was too small!

[u/TheAsianTroll → u/swedecore]

You could always try using a cutting wheel to remove the nut carefully

[u/Flash-635 → u/swedecore]

Can you hit a 9/16 onto it?

[u/Flash-635 → u/TheAsianTroll]

5/8 is exactly 16mm.

Maybe 9/16.

[u/TheAsianTroll → u/Flash-635]

He said 9/16 was too small, so I'm guessing its 15mm but also stripped.

[u/Flash-635 → u/TheAsianTroll]

I didn't see where 9/16 was mentioned.

[u/TheAsianTroll → u/Flash-635]

He said he tried the size below 5/8 and it was too small.

[u/Flash-635 → u/TheAsianTroll]

Yeah, that I saw. I replied that he should try to hit a 9/16 on.

What are those knurled sockets that grip destroyed nuts called?

[u/Jimbob994]

If it's just a nut and bolt at this point id probably break out the saw/grinder to cut it off and replace. If the threated section is welded on try a a bolt splitter if you have one or could go at it with a rotary tool. I'd try flatten out 2 sides to fit a smaller open ended spanner on (taking off a good bit of material to avoid it just stripping again) and then repeat what youve already done, or just try and take off the bolt with the rotary without damaging the threads.

[u/Gunk_Olgidar]

Melt it off.

And stop using 12point sockets.

[u/swedecore → u/Gunk_Olgidar]

It was an impact socket, just normal type

[u/ccarr313]

Grinder go brrrrrrrrrr.

Or torch go fwooooooosh.

Dealers choice.

[u/rhyno0485]

Cut it, knock stud out, replace with bolt and nut. Trust me !

[u/swedecore → u/rhyno0485]

This seems to be the way, how would I go about knocking the stud out? Might also just cut this fitting out and weld on a 3” adapter and use an exhaust clamp as my removable piece.

[u/rhyno0485 → u/swedecore]

Heat the stud with propane or preferably a map gas torch, use a hammer or air hammer to drive it out.

[u/Flash-635]

You could use one of those grippy sockets that bite into nuts (ow), somebody here will know what they're called.

I'd probably split the nut with a cold chisel and maybe a drill.

[u/sd_slate]

Nut splitter or grinder

[u/SailorsKnot]

If nothing else, cutting wheel/angle grinder between the flanges. Had to slice the bolts on my wife’s Veloster last week for the same reason.