Hi All,

I'm a total noob at these things so I was wondering what are the basic tools needed for a simple removal of the muffler and install?

I just got Tanabe Medalions and would like to do this myself if possible.

1) Flatbed with rollers
2) Torque Wrench (what specs?)
3) PB Spray?
4) Jack stand to hold exhaust while removing??

I watched the video of the girl who installed her megans but it would be great if there was a detailed DIY

 

its gonna be hard taking the exhaust off by yourself. A friend would be your best asset in doing an exhaust installation.

OEM bolts range from 14mm-21mm depending on how you want to remove the oem exhaust.
There is also the middle cross bar you must remove, I believe that is a 10mm bolt.

You will need some WD40 on those OEM bolts and hangers. They they tend to strip easily, especially the ones connecting to the OEM cats.

Be safe

 

I have to disagree, I found it to be very easy to do by myself, even lying on my back under a lowered car.

You didn't mention a ratchet and sockets but if course you'll need those. I can remember that the size of most of the nuts/bolts are 14 mm. By flatbed with rollers I presume you mean a mechanic's creeper. A breaker bar might help if a bolt is stubborn. The jack stands are to hold the car up, not for supporting the exhaust. Soak every bolt with your preferred penetrating lube well in advance to make things easier. If you're removing your cats, it greatly helps to have a O2 sensor removal socket.

 

I tried to install my Ark exhaust today and failed miserably. We couldn't get the bolts off the OEM cats. We'll see tomorrow or Sunday after some WD-40 but I may be going to a muffler shop.

BTW I wanted to verify the installation process:

Bolt, lock washer, regular washer, flange, gasket, flange, regular washer, nut.

 

That was the first exhaust I had on my car. its was super easy just need some muscle to get those bolts loose. I did it with a friend and it took all of 15 mins.

 

just the muffler

 

The bolts for just the muffler section are 14 mm. There's 4. They shouldn't be too tough, use some elbow grease. You really don't need a torque wrench for them, tighten them as much as you reasonably can. Spray some lube on the rubber exhaust hangers to slide the metal hangers out easier. Also makes it easier to push the new ones in.

 

Definitely don't need much...like everybody said.

1. Liquid wrench or something similar if the bolts are giving you trouble.
2. BB said lube on the hangers, even just water works fine. Just needs something in there to let them slide out easier. Wow this could be taken wrong.

Otherwise, mufflers are a super easy job...definitely worth doing yourself, no matter your expertise...

 

thanks for the advice guys!

 

PB blaster > all other penetrants. Don't waste your money on WD-40. Soak the bolts for at least half an hour (if you can soak them overnight even better). One thing that nobody mentioned is that you have to make sure that your car is 100% stable on those jackstands. After you put the car on jackstands, rock the car and make sure that bad boy is not gonna fall off the stands when you're wrestling those exhaust bolts. Also if you can wear some gloves, your knuckles will thank you later.

 

The hangers were a complete PITA. I should've lubed them up with something now that I see this. I fought trying to get those bastard out of the rubber holders for like 40 minutes

 

Spot on. The bolt's at the cats are a pain in the ***.. I'd spray them with some WD40 and let it sit for a little while, spray again etc.. They really do strip very easily.

 

Yea the hangers are a PIA but nothing a little white lithium wont handle,I did Tanabes on my 08 sedan took me 30 mins. No hard at all.

 

i took mine off and put it on pretty easy but it is heavy by yourself

 

I have an 2011 Vert I am going to put Tanabe's on. Would rhino ramps work? I have the socket sets that I need and some lube. The car was just finished being built about 2 weeks ago, so hope those bolts won't be too hard to use. I have a jack I can slide underneath to catch the exhaust once I loosen the bolts. Since I am leasing just gonna keep everything so I can put back to stock when I turn the car in.

Thanks,

Matt