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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Downpipe stud and nut. Impossible to reach?

  • Thread starter Thread starter endeitz
  • Start date Start date Dec 21, 2020
E

endeitz

Member
Dec 21, 2020
3
1
13
San Antonio, TX
Dec 21, 2020
#1
  • Dec 21, 2020
  • #1
Just bought a 2002 GT. Previous owner installed an "off-road" H-pipe and downfacing exhaust. Sounds great, but both the cat-delete and the downface are no-nos for inspection. So we need to replace the system to get past inspection. Started removing the nuts from the downpipes. Driver side, one nut came off, the other side the stud turned out (which is fine). Passenger side, one of the studs/nuts are pinned against a portion of the what I am calling part of the frame. It's crazy close, like I can't get a wrench (much less a socket) between the tip of the stud and the metal frame next to it. Has anyone else run into this? Do I have to remove the header to be able to get at this thing? Picture below, although I don't know that it really shows you much.


 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
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polk county florida
Dec 21, 2020
#2
  • Dec 21, 2020
  • #2
I'm gonna jump in here with a possible suggestion, unbolt the opposite motor mount and jack up that side of the engine, it may give you more room to get at that bolt. It may not take much to give you some room.
 
E

endeitz

Member
Dec 21, 2020
3
1
13
San Antonio, TX
Dec 21, 2020
#3
  • Dec 21, 2020
  • #3
General karthief said:
I'm gonna jump in here with a possible suggestion, unbolt the opposite motor mount and jack up that side of the engine, it may give you more room to get at that bolt. It may not take much to give you some room.
Click to expand...
That is a think outside the box (or outside my ability to think anyhow) suggestion! I have never taken off the motor mount bolts so I will look into that in the morning.
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
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nevada
Dec 21, 2020
#4
  • Dec 21, 2020
  • #4
That stud looks like the top of a shock, and there is a tool to turn that,it's a socket that fits over the stud.Maybe you can get that tool on the stud and remove it?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,542
203
polk county florida
Dec 21, 2020
#5
  • Dec 21, 2020
  • #5
endeitz said:
That is a think outside the box (or outside my ability to think anyhow) suggestion! I have never taken off the motor mount bolts so I will look into that in the morning.
Click to expand...
I don't have a box when it comes to thinking
 
E

endeitz

Member
Dec 21, 2020
3
1
13
San Antonio, TX
Dec 22, 2020
#6
  • Dec 22, 2020
  • #6
General karthief said:
I don't have a box when it comes to thinking
Click to expand...
You beautiful son-of-a-gun, it worked! Spun the bottom nuts out to flush on the motor mounts, which gave about 3/4" of play. Lifted the engine a little bit from the bottom, and the mounting nut and downpipe cleared the stud. I don't know if the K bracket is bent from an accident or what. Picture of the "offender" below. Now junkyard shopping for something legal to pass inspection....

 
Reactions: General karthief

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
153
nevada
Dec 22, 2020
#7
  • Dec 22, 2020
  • #7
Glad you got it.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,542
203
polk county florida
Dec 22, 2020
#8
  • Dec 22, 2020
  • #8
I have my moments.
 

1low03gt

20+ Year Stangneter
May 24, 2004
708
11
38
Cold Hell,Ontario,Canada!!
Dec 26, 2020
#9
  • Dec 26, 2020
  • #9
That manifold stud should not touch anywhere under there. You should have more then enough room to be able to get a socket on there. I’ve swapped out my mid pipe on my ‘03 enough... more then I would like to count due to e testing every other year, thank God that’s over now lol!! Anyways, what I’m getting at, is to take a further look on what’s going on. Are the motor mounts or transmission mounts worn out making the engine lean to the one side. That’s where I would start. Hoping that’s all it is. If not, it would be something else, like you already mentioned... accident in its history maybe.?.
 
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