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So my clutch has been slipping for a while. I had already planned to switch it out. Well, a couple of weeks ago my CSC decided to go, pushing my timeline up. I am on a very tight budget, so opted to do this job myself. I ordered a Stage 1 kit from Z Speed, with forged flywheel, HD CSC, new OEM CMC, and braided steel clutch line. The parts will be arriving on Thursday.
Anyway, I decided to start tearing my car apart to get it ready, but I ran into a roadblock right away. All of the exhaust bolts are completely rusted over. The bolts connecting the lead pipes to the mid pipes are completely fused, and I'm thinking there is no way they are coming off. Let me know what you think.
The bolts connecting the lead pipes to the headers look a little less corroded. If I can get those bolts loose, I may be able to remove the exhaust in one piece. They look very hard to reach though. I really don't know what to do in this situation, and I really can't afford to send it to the shop. Any suggestions?
This is where the lead pipes connect to the mid-pipes.
This is where the lead pipes connect to the headers. Not as corroded, but still not good.
Take a look here, but if you are planning on removing your cats, then you will need some 1/2" extensions along with a nice size breaker bar and a swivel socket as I've found its not a direct fit without the swivel. I would also suggest getting some penetrating spray now, spraying all bolts and letting that sit over night. Spray again tomorrow and have at it. Even when people have been overly prepared to tackle the demon bolt(s) they still ended up needing to take it to a shop to get them off. May the force be with you!
I just ran into the same problem with the clutch and hydraulics. My g37 is currently at a shop getting the same exact setup as you installed. The rusted exhaust is the reason why I didn't do it myself. It would have taken me a weekend just to get the exhaust off, which is only 5% of the total job. Good luck
Quick Update. I realized that I don't need to take the whole exhaust out to get the transmission out. I only had to drop the exhaust rear of the y pipe so I could get the drive shaft out. Now I'm just held up by the two demon bolts at the top of the transmission with no room to maneuver. Will try to get them out today. I used a long extension with a breaker bar, but I only have about 2 inches of play to swing the breaker, and it's not enough to crack the nuts.
If the PB blaster doesn't work, some members swear a mix of AT fluid and acetone works 10x better (someone needs to confirm that combo....sounds familiar but could just as well be the recipe for a dirty bomb).
Quick update: I got the demon bolts off! Picked up a small pipe to stick on the end of my ratchet and got it done. Tried to pull the tranny...wouldn't come off. Turns out there were two MORE bolts at the top that I couldn't see.
These had me stumped for a while. I read that the easiest way to take them off is from the top of the engine bay. I tried removing some stuff, but couldn't even see these bolts from the top. Too much stuff in the way!
I was eventually able to get them off using about 3 ft of extensions and going over the top of the tranny from the bottom of the car. Finally got everything taken out. Ready to install my new hardware and get it put back together in the next few days. Took a few pictures...
Yes, it IS possible to drop your tranny on jack stands in your apartment parking lot
Old clutch is toast!
View from underneath.
New ZSpeed Stage 1 kit ready to go in!
Now quick question. I know you are "supposed to" replace your flywheel bolts every time, but they are like $5 a piece and there are 8 of them. Do you think I could get away with reusing these? I'm sure this is the first time the tranny has been pulled so I doubt they've been reused before. Also, does anyone know a good place to pick up flywheel and possibly pressure plat bolts?
Ha ha Seriously! You completely fooled me into thinking this was a test pipe or HFC install and next thing you know - Trans drop. Nice job man. For what it's worth, replace the bolts. Rather be safe than sorry.
Well I never thought I'd spend $120+ on 17 bolts, but I did...I just died a little inside.
i know it’s a kick to the groin, but look at all the work you did. It’s just the cherry on top so you know you did the best job you could. Well done I say in an apartment parking lot
