How do I get this downpipe out????

000ooo000 · 05-06-2018, 06:47 PM

I have a an e92 n55 xdrive 335 and Im trying to get the stock downpipe out to replace with with a vrsf one. I got it to the point where the downpipe is moving around freely (v band off, all exhaust bolt nuts off, bolts to the thing that holds it to the transmission off, and o2 sensors unplugged from the top).

It keeps hitting on the midpipe, so I unscrewed everything connecting the exhaust in order to push it back a couple inches. That helped a little but the dp is still getting caught on the midpipe. I also tried to drop the subframe for more room but one bolt on the passenger side would not come out no matter what I do (torch, pb blaster, impact wrench multiple times). Maybe I need a giant breaker bar or something?

How else can I get this thing out? Do I need to take the o2 sensors off first? They were pretty stuck on there. Or do I need to remove the whole exhaust so it's not in the way? Do I need to try harder to drop the subframe (although I read a couple people did it without dropping it)? Any other ideas

Thanks!

tbmd · 05-06-2018, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 000ooo000

I have a an e92 n55 xdrive 335 and Im trying to get the stock downpipe out to replace with with a vrsf one. I got it to the point where the downpipe is moving around freely (v band off, all exhaust bolt nuts off, bolts to the thing that holds it to the transmission off, and o2 sensors unplugged from the top).

It keeps hitting on the midpipe, so I unscrewed everything connecting the exhaust in order to push it back a couple inches. That helped a little but the dp is still getting caught on the midpipe. I also tried to drop the subframe for more room but one bolt on the passenger side would not come out no matter what I do (torch, pb blaster, impact wrench multiple times). Maybe I need a giant breaker bar or something?

How else can I get this thing out? Do I need to take the o2 sensors off first? They were pretty stuck on there. Or do I need to remove the whole exhaust so it's not in the way? Do I need to try harder to drop the subframe (although I read a couple people did it without dropping it)? Any other ideas

Thanks!

I have an e92 n55 RWD. This video helped me a lot when I installed mine...

000ooo000 · 05-06-2018, 09:22 PM

Thanks for that, the only thing I didn't do from that video is take off the bracket on the transmission, just unscrewed it from the downpipe maybe that will help. But it looks so much easier there, no subframe in the way and just slides right out

weehe126 · 05-06-2018, 09:47 PM

Pretty sure you have to drop the subframe for XI.

000ooo000 · 05-06-2018, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Pretty sure you have to drop the subframe for XI.

I read where a couple people that did it on n55 without dropping it (somehow), I know n54 you absolutely have to drop it. How do you get a stuck subframe bolt out when using pb blaster and heating it up multiple times and using an impact wrench doesn't work?

weehe126 · 05-06-2018, 11:31 PM

Heat it up even more/continually soak in PB blaster over night.

000ooo000 · 05-07-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Heat it up even more/continually soak in PB blaster over night.

It soaked in PB blaster for almost 24 hours, then I took a propane torch to it for a couple minutes and it still won't budge. The only other thing I can think of is to use an acetylene torch or a very long breaker bar (neither of which I happen to have).

Edit: a couple more minutes with the propane torch followed by some water and it's finally out thank jesus

Rotorocious · 05-07-2018, 08:19 PM

Been dreading this on my xi. Are you doing it in a garage on ramps or stands?

000ooo000 · 05-07-2018, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

Been dreading this on my xi. Are you doing it in a garage on ramps or stands?

Doing it on stands. The worst part of it is getting the stupid rusty bolts out of everything. Everything else is easy compared to that. You'll want an impact wrench, some pb blaster and a torch (and then cool it off with water after heating like 10 different times). Also for the bolts that connect to the midpipe they were so rusted that I had to use some special rusty bolt socket extractor things and hammer a size smaller on it after they sat with pb blaster overnight.

You can get the v flange thing from the wheel well area no problem. And get an engine support bar from harbor freight, six bolts and 4 motor mount bolts off to drop the sub frame completely and some finagling and it finally comes out. It's pretty easy to drop as long as one of your bolts isn't destroyed like mine.

Also where do I get new subframe bolts? I can't find the right ones.

05-06-2018, 06:47 PM	#1
000ooo000 Private 17 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335xi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	How do I get this downpipe out???? I have a an e92 n55 xdrive 335 and Im trying to get the stock downpipe out to replace with with a vrsf one. I got it to the point where the downpipe is moving around freely (v band off, all exhaust bolt nuts off, bolts to the thing that holds it to the transmission off, and o2 sensors unplugged from the top). It keeps hitting on the midpipe, so I unscrewed everything connecting the exhaust in order to push it back a couple inches. That helped a little but the dp is still getting caught on the midpipe. I also tried to drop the subframe for more room but one bolt on the passenger side would not come out no matter what I do (torch, pb blaster, impact wrench multiple times). Maybe I need a giant breaker bar or something? How else can I get this thing out? Do I need to take the o2 sensors off first? They were pretty stuck on there. Or do I need to remove the whole exhaust so it's not in the way? Do I need to try harder to drop the subframe (although I read a couple people did it without dropping it)? Any other ideas Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-06-2018, 09:22 PM	#3
000ooo000 Private 17 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335xi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that, the only thing I didn't do from that video is take off the bracket on the transmission, just unscrewed it from the downpipe maybe that will help. But it looks so much easier there, no subframe in the way and just slides right out
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2018, 09:47 PM	#4
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Pretty sure you have to drop the subframe for XI.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2018, 11:31 PM	#6
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Heat it up even more/continually soak in PB blaster over night.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-07-2018, 08:19 PM	#8
Rotorocious Lieutenant Colonel 103 Rep 1,520 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (3)	Been dreading this on my xi. Are you doing it in a garage on ramps or stands?
	Appreciate 0 Quote