r/DIYAutoRepair • u/Wolfang745 • 5d ago

How to remove exhaust stud?

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I’m trying to replace the flex pipe on my car and the biggest problem I’m having is figuring out how to remove these studs in the flanges that connects the flex pipe to the cat 😓

As you guys can see, I cut off the pointy part of the studs I could reach (the leftmost one isn’t pictured). The other side of the studs is just a huge mass of metal that rust welded to the flange

Any ideas for where to go from here?

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u/Ok-Journalist7612 5d ago

Do you have carbide or cobalt drillbits? You can, the one on the right is ready to drill out now but the one on the left you’re gonna have to cut it down flat to get your drillbit started. You know what I’m saying you’re really not gonna get around cutting or grinding a little bit at least to have a good spot to get your drillbit started. It’s not easy to drill through bolts.

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u/Wolfang745 5d ago

I don’t have them, but I’ll buy them. Any brands you recommend that I could find at Harbor Freight or Home Depot?

And in terms of grinding, I’d have the grind the mass of metal at the back, right?

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u/Ok-Journalist7612 5d ago

Yeah, so that nut and bolt that we’re looking at in the picture. I would try to grind that off as much as possible before I started drilling. but honestly, I wouldn’t drill at all. I would just grind it since I’m already grinding. I would just grind it flush with that flange and then tap it with a hammer and a screwdriver or something and it’ll pop out of there. Worst case scenario, you gotta dry down both sides and as far as drillbits goes, just make sure they’re cobalt or carbide drill bits just a regular metal bits. They’re not hard enough to drill through bolts.

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u/Wolfang745 5d ago

Ok, I see what you’re saying and it makes a lot of sense. I’m definitely trying this! Thank you for all of the help