Header Bolts - How can I tighten them easily?

[Tripoli]

So, I seem to have developed a fairly severe exhaust leak. Bad enough that it's thrown a code saying the left bank is running lean. (Not to mention that it's lound enough to be embarrassing.) I'm fairly sure the leak is at the head-to-header connection on the driver's side. I've got Hooker long-tube headers. I've got a pretty decent array of hand tools, but for the life of me I can't reach the vast majority of the header bolts.

The guy who installed the headers two years ago did so by dropping the K member. I'd really prefer not to do that, but I suppose I could probably manage it if I have to. I'm hoping there's some easier way to gain access to those bolts. Any tips or suggestions y'all might have would be appreciated.

If I must drop the K member, I could use some advice on what all I actually need to take apart. I've never messed with the K member, A arms, or springs before, so this would all be new to me. I found a couple install guides for putting in new K members, but I feel like I don't need to completely remove it, I just need to get it out of the way, which I sustect may require less work.

 

[Miles]

Without dropping the k-member, you have no hope of reaching all the bolts and tightening them enough. Wish there was another way.

As for guides, I'd personally recommend a good shop manual. There are some tutorials on the net for doing this work, but it doesn't replace the details in a shop manual.

 

[joshheat25]

haha you can't!!!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Easily? That's a good one...

 

[stangman]

there is no easy way of doing it man & you'll need to disconnect several things. here are the main things, someone add to it if i forget anything. it's been a while since i've done it so i'm sure i've forgot something

disconnect the brake wiring. it's in teh upper inner fender well
the steering shaft
steering rack
motor mounts
struts
i recommend taking the a-arms off. it makes it alot lighter when you drop it

 

[Dragstr05]

Theres always a way.

 

[Tripoli]

there is no easy way of doing it man & you'll need to disconnect several things. here are the main things, someone add to it if i forget anything. it's been a while since i've done it so i'm sure i've forgot something

disconnect the brake wiring. it's in teh upper inner fender well
the steering shaft
steering rack
motor mounts
struts
i recommend taking the a-arms off. it makes it alot lighter when you drop it

What about the springs? Do I need to compress them and/or remove them, or can I leave them in place? (assuming, of course, that I don't remove the A-arms)

 

[Kilgore Trout]

What about the springs? Do I need to compress them and/or remove them, or can I leave them in place? (assuming, of course, that I don't remove the A-arms)

Take it to an exhaust shop.

 

[stangman]

What about the springs? Do I need to compress them and/or remove them, or can I leave them in place? (assuming, of course, that I don't remove the A-arms)

no, springs will have to come out

 

[Tripoli]

Yeah, I figured that one out after doing just a little bit more reading and looking under the car. This isn't sounding quite as bad as I had originally thought, it's just that there's a few things I've never messed with before. No time like the present to learn.

Do I need to totally disconnect the steering arm from the tie-rod end, or can all that stay assembled when I lower the K member? When I bolt the K member back in place, does it need to be aligned to the frame, or does the stocker not allow for adjustment?

 

[stangman]

Yeah, I figured that one out after doing just a little bit more reading and looking under the car. This isn't sounding quite as bad as I had originally thought, it's just that there's a few things I've never messed with before. No time like the present to learn.

Do I need to totally disconnect the steering arm from the tie-rod end, or can all that stay assembled when I lower the K member? When I bolt the K member back in place, does it need to be aligned to the frame, or does the stocker not allow for adjustment?

all needs to come off, & yes it need to get aligned afterwards.

i'll see if i can find a thread where i took some pics that might help you. i'll post it up when i find it, cause i can't remember which board i posted it on

 

[Tripoli]

Cool, thanks. Sure wish I could afford to throw on an aftermarket K member while I was at it. As it is, I'm still trying to decide if I can fit new motor mounts into my budget this weekend.

 

[stangman]

http://www.darkmesa.com/showthread.php?t=10921