[tannooba]

I'm going to replace the rear drive shaft of my Bimmer.
In order to do that I need to remove the exhaust system.
Therein lies the problem. See attached image.

Any advice on how to remove these rusty bolts?

Thanks to all

[AM330i]

I can't see the picture but usually soaking the bolts in some sort of penetrating oil should do the trick. work it back and forth and keep spraying the bolts as you are working it.

[tannooba]

AM330i. thanks!
I didn't know how to add pictures then I added it as an attached file.
Hope you can see it now.

[dstrickland]

Originally Posted by AM330i

I can't see the picture but usually soaking the bolts in some sort of penetrating oil should do the trick. work it back and forth and keep spraying the bolts as you are working it.

+1. Soak it, give it 10min. Try to break it lose a little, retighten, go loose again but go a little further, back and forth until you get it off.

[sprp85]

Heat. Penetrating oil. Repeat.

I believe those nuts are coppers (at least replacements were when I ordered them)

Easiest method would be to take it into a shop. They can get them out in 10 mins.

[robthewrench]

Soak in PB blaster for 30-60 minutes (or more) before trying to remove bolts. Those bolts pictured may just be too far gone, since you can't easily see the threads still on the bolts. You'll need to use two sockets one on the nut the other on the bolt. Use 6 point sockets, not 12 point, since the bolts are so badly rusted.

The good news is that those bolts are easily replaced. If the won't come off with wrenches, you can grind off the nut end to be flush with the exhaust clamp and then you should be able to push out the bolt with a drift or a screwdriver and a hammer.

[McPikie]

Grinder. Job jobbed

[Gizm0]

The studs/nuts on my exhaust looked identical... PB blaster and torch didn't work. I ended up just breaking them off, and drilling the 4 studs in the downpipes and replaced all 4 with stainless steel bolts/nuts. Each time i mess with the exhaust, I replace these nuts and bolts with new ones for easy disassembly.

[Efthreeoh]

Yeah, they are beyond removing by unscrewing the nuts. Cut them off and replace. No point in trying to unscrew the nuts. I replace mine with stainless steel fasteners.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by tannooba

I'm going to replace the rear drive shaft of my Bimmer.
In order to do that I need to remove the exhaust system.
Therein lies the problem. See attached image.

Any advice on how to remove these rusty bolts?

Thanks to all

Kroil Oil & let the soak for 24 hours.

If not use a torch.

Heat is a beautiful thing..

Use an air gun.

Last resort, cutting them off

SS bolts would be a good idea to use for replacement

[fravel]

I had to cut mine off.

[tannooba]

Thanks to all.
I wish I read the advice on stainless steel before I ordered the oem bolts and nuts from ECS Tuning. I think the nuts are copper from what I can gleen from the pictures. I will try soaking them this weekend and see what happens.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Heat, penetrating fluid, and an impact wrench are your best friends for rusty bolts. Worst case, you cut them out with a Dremel and replace the stud/nut.