Grr downpipe fitting

[emery1990]

Im all happy as i have just fitted my exhaust manifold, i went to other up the downpipe, but realised there was not enough room to poke it up towards the manifold. Can i take that metal body that the gear linkages attach to and that the gear selector pipe thing passes through, if i can remove this it seems like it will go through, or do i have to remove the steering bit just above the frame ( subframe?) i would remove the frame but the bolts are all corroded, if i can easily get all new bolts then ill remove as itll be easier surely to just remove ?

[Ben Lessani]

It depends on access, I removed an engine, but left the downpipe and manifold attached - and it pulled through the gap - when the engine was lifted.

But with the engine in place, I would have thought the subframe has to be dropped.

To answer your question, the gear linkage bracket holds on to the rear subframe by 3x 13mm bolts.

[emery1990]

Ok cheers, most of the subframe bolts look rusted to hell, ive got plus gas, can i just go somewhere like bq to get some fresh new bolts too put it back on with, might as well kurust and hammerite it as well.

So you dont reckon ill need too take off that steering bit?

[Ben Lessani]

Plus gas isn't going to do anything on the subframe bolts - you'll just be wasting it spraying it on bolt heads.

So you dont reckon ill need too take off that steering bit?

It depends on access.

[emery1990]

ok cheers i wont bother with the plus gas. Is it just the engine that has to be supported?

[bodga]

Ok cheers, most of the subframe bolts look rusted to hell, ive got plus gas, can i just go somewhere like bq to get some fresh new bolts too put it back on with, might as well kurust and hammerite it as well.

So you dont reckon ill need too take off that steering bit?

spray them with releasing oil, hit them the the hammer, give it 10 mins hit them again, then with a suitable 13mm spanner/socket, or 1/2" socket (tapped on with a hammer if really corroded) and they will come out  . mine did



a motor factors might have some new bolts for you or try and find a hardware shop, or even find a local fastener stockist or manufacturer and be cheeky and go to goods out and ask them. works for me

[emery1990]

So you dont need to unscrew them lol they just fall out ? breaking the thread im guessing ? I am determined to get this off on saterday !!

[richard s]

when i did mine 8v gti i was on a ramp but it should work for you
get car high enough so you can get the downpipe in under the engine jack the engine up as far as you can without removing mounts then you can put the downpipe in from the front if you turn it upside down it will slide between the subframe and body with a bit of jiggling and twisting then you just turn the downpipe the right way up and bolt up

[clipperjay]

The only way it works for me is to put heat on them then buy some freeze spray failing that the chisle and hammer comes our on any 13mm bolts. The other method for smaller bolts is dremel a posidrive pattern and use the largest screw driver works well on hex bolts. But sounds like you need a one meter pipe, slide it over your ratchet to give you more forced torque
 

[emery1990]

Thanks guys, yer mines only only stands, ill take the frame out, it could do with a paint.

Yer ill get some scaffold or something, had no luck with my 6inch ratchet i got lol!