Simple Saturn Tailpipe Q

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Steve W., Oct 30, 2007.

  1. Steve W.

    Steve W. Guest

    Could be bolts into nuts or bolts into a threaded hole in the flange.
    Either way if your pulling it apart just grind both sides clean and then
    install new bolts and nuts, along with a new flange gasket.
     
    Steve W., Oct 30, 2007
    #1
  2. Hi,
    Mid-way down the car, at the tail end of the catalytic converter, there are
    flanges and 3 bolts on my '95 Saturn SW1. If they were nuts at some point,
    I couldn't tell you, but whatever's left has to come off, because the oil
    pan is coming out. Just curious, what do you use when replacing these bits
    of old fasteners?

    TIA -

    Mark
     
    Mark G. Meyers, Oct 30, 2007
    #2
  3. Hi,
    As I get more of the rust off, it looks like bolts that run through from the
    converter side, and on the back side, the flange itself is threaded to
    receive the bolts. Those don't look like nuts or ordinary bolts - the bolts
    themselves taper to really twiggy ends (all 3).

    So it looks like I might be supposed to try to save the threaded (receiving)
    flange, and maybe just cut the bolt heads off and unscrew and replace the
    bolts, but those bolts also look pretty well rusted/fastened to the
    receiving flange threads. One of the bolt heads is also impossible to reach
    with a power tool (the one on top).

    - Mark
     
    Mark G. Meyers, Oct 30, 2007
    #3
  4. Well, I went ahead and did what I could, which is cutting everything all
    off.

    Now according to the parts guy at Saturn, and I was guessing the same, this
    was supposed to be nuts and bolts - it isn't. The flange on the converter
    side has bolts welded right in there, it appears. I have cut the heads and
    tails off, and I am going to have to drill out those holes.

    Right now, I don't have drill bits/drill that can do it. Perhapos I can
    find a shop with a drill that can?

    Cheers -

    Mark
     
    Mark G. Meyers, Oct 30, 2007
    #4
  5. Steve W.

    Noozer Guest

    Take it to a muffler shop and have them torch it off, and then tape/wire it
    together for the trip home.
     
    Noozer, Oct 30, 2007
    #5
  6. Steve W.

    Nate Nagel Guest

    If the bolts were welded to the flange, they were probably welded at the
    heads. Try grinding the heads off right down to the flange with a die
    grinder or 4" angle grinder if you have one and then drive the shanks
    out with a round punch and BFH. If the welder was really good and got
    lots of penetration you may end up having to drill though. Get NEW HSS
    drill bits and have a friend spray some oil on the bit while you're
    drilling. low-ish speed, a high torque (1/2" chuck) drill, and a
    reasonable amount of pressure seems to work best with hardened bolts.
    Drill bit may last only a couple of bolts. Drill a small pilot hole
    first and then go to the through hole size. replace bolts with
    stainless ones with lots of anti-seize :) Dressing the flange (I assume
    it's flat) with a flat file before installing a new gasket will help it
    seal better.

    good luck

    nate

     
    Nate Nagel, Oct 31, 2007
    #6
  7. Nate,
    Sounds to me like you're speaking from experience on all counts. These
    bolts were welded in pretty nicely, because I can't find the place where the
    head leaves off and the flange begins. BFH- I'll remember that!

    Thanks -
    Mark

     
    Mark G. Meyers, Oct 31, 2007
    #7
  8. Steve W.

    N8N Guest

    I'm used to working on cars 40 years older than your Saturn, so I am
    no stranger to drilling out busted bolts :(

    I can, however, state that I have successfully drilled out bolts in
    blind holes using a hand drill without having to use a Helicoil.

    I guess I should put that on my resume :)

    nate
     
    N8N, Nov 1, 2007
    #8
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