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Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)

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Old May 16, 2016 | 03:51 PM
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Lightbulb Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)

Hey,

So this one racked my brain for a while. I ordered a Megan Racing y-pipeback exhaust for my G37X Sedan to install, figured it should be pretty straightforward. boy was I wrong!

Background: car has FI RHFCs, K&N Short Tube Intakes, Stereo upgrades,

Take a look at the photos below where the Y-pipe meets the exhaust, those bolts are freaking welded on?!?!

I tried to remove them with a 14MM wrench, breaker bar, pb blaster, MAPP torch, didn't really get anywhere, used my 3 air tools, stripped the bolts ultimately. After using my vice grip and a hammer, got nowhere again, decided to take a hacksaw and cut off the bolt. Still there was 1/8" of an inch of bolt left, so i took my dremel- metal cutter and cut this off, passenger side, closer to the exahust.

After this, i took a punch and a hammer and started to hit the bolt to loosen it up or jar it free, but the welded bolt is not moving.

What do you guys believe i should do? I bought some cobalt drill bits to potentially drill it out, and i will likely end up cutting off the other side which is somehow welded on. The megan racing exhaust came with new hardware, so will be fine.

Still puzzled why the y-pipe bolt is welded to the connector??? Any ideas?
Attached Thumbnails Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_200818.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_200823.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_200840.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_200846.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_201008.jpg  

Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_201018.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_201034.jpg   Why are my stock exhaust bolts welded on? (see pics)-20160515_113606.jpg  
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Old May 16, 2016 | 04:16 PM
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Your only option is to cut/burn/grind it off. I have no idea why the previous owner would do that. That's some bush league shade tree mechanic work.
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Old May 16, 2016 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Black Betty
Your only option is to cut/burn/grind it off. I have no idea why the previous owner would do that. That's some bush league shade tree mechanic work.
just wanted to make sure i wasn't going crazy. my wife was like oh now you have to pay a shop to do it! hell no. i'm pissed i found the y-pipe like this. I dremeled off one bolt and i will likely do that to the other side of the bolt that is welded on.

Advice, get some Cobalt bits and drill it out if the dremel can't get the job done?

bought these today..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181688391286?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221541666395?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Old May 16, 2016 | 05:05 PM
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That is definitely not stock. Good luck!
I accidentally stripped a nut holding the muffler on and used an angle grinder grind away the stock round bolt head. That bolt is pressed into place and has a round head on the bolt, after grinding the head off I beat the hell out of the end of the bolt until the head pushed out.

Looking back grinding the head off probably did nothing for me. I didn't realize it was pressed into place.
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Old May 16, 2016 | 09:47 PM
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previous owner probably pissed off a mechanic on a job...
mechanic decided on an indiscrete little payback perhaps..
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Old May 17, 2016 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by micafd3s
previous owner probably pissed off a mechanic on a job...
mechanic decided on an indiscrete little payback perhaps..
lol. this is my theory. I mean, this is going to take me hours to undo.

Sawzall or dremel? I'll tackle this on sunday. Megan Racing exhaust!! I want to mount it up now
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Old May 17, 2016 | 11:22 AM
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Had to cut some bolts off mine when I was installing because of rust :|
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Old May 18, 2016 | 11:35 AM
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I had to use a grinder on the y-pipe to grind down the bolts, mine were just rust-welded on there. Same with my mufflers, it was a pain but not impossible.
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Old May 18, 2016 | 01:01 PM
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Get a small right angle die grinder at Harbor Freight, if you have an air compressor, if not get one of those too. Both are invaluable for me. Can also use to easily slot your toe arm mounts too.

Angle Die Grinder - Air Powered
21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor
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Old May 18, 2016 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Kris9884
I had to use a grinder on the y-pipe to grind down the bolts, mine were just rust-welded on there. Same with my mufflers, it was a pain but not impossible.
What kind of grinder did you use? can you recommend one i can buy? Would really appreciate this, as the dremel is not the best answer
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Old May 18, 2016 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by m3clubracer
Get a small right angle die grinder at Harbor Freight, if you have an air compressor, if not get one of those too. Both are invaluable for me. Can also use to easily slot your toe arm mounts too.

Angle Die Grinder - Air Powered
21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor
Just answered my question!! Thanks dude
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Old May 18, 2016 | 03:34 PM
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What attachments would i buy for the die grinder? I have a 25 gallon air compressor that i use now.
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Old May 18, 2016 | 03:46 PM
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the cut off wheel worked for me then finished em off with a chisel and hammer
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Old May 18, 2016 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ChinkyChoy
the cut off wheel worked for me then finished em off with a chisel and hammer
which cut off wheel? What about a grinder attachment for the last part?
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Old May 18, 2016 | 04:48 PM
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I had to use a cut off wheel to remove both sides of my rear lower control arm bolts. Not fun at all.
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