Rear CAT Bolt snapped, options?
 

So I have had this rattling in my exhaust, and I think it is part of the midpipe I had borrowed back in the winter. So I went to pull off my cat back (it isn't in/after the muffler, when I tap the section between the muffler and cat with a hammer, it rattles the same way), and first order of business was pulling the nuts off the 2 bolts that are welded to the back of the cat, the ones with the springs.

And well, the bolt snapped before the nut came free. Snapped right at the cat, so only the head of the cat bolt is still attached to the cat.

I still have the other bolt/nut secure at this point, and my exhaust isn't loose, so I can probably still drive like that without issue, because I'll just deal with the rattle if it means I have to pull off the cat and have someone weld in a new bolt?

Other than a new cat, or a midpipe, is having someone cut off the head of the broken bolt my only option?

have it drilled out and put in a new bolt?

Or drill and remove the broken bit of bolt and use an extractor. If you have access to a cutting torch/propane torch, heat the crap out of it (nut) first. Like glowing red. Then throw some cold water on it. Best thing to do is remove the pipe and attempt this scenario.
Be prepared for the possibility of the three front bolts snapping too. They're easier to remove (press fit) if they break. Just knock them out with a hammer and punch. BIG hammer and punch.

less posting, more shipping!

Yeah, I snapped 1 of the front bolts back in December, stripped another, taking my toasted cat off to put on the midpipe while I waited for a new cat to arrive at the dealer.

I don't have access to anything but basic tools, so I guess I will take the 8 back to the shop that got the original bolts off back then, and have them cut the head off. I can put my own bolts in.

Thanks, just confirming what I suspected.




Hurry up with the BHR midpipe already and this won't be an issue any more! :lol2:

I get one day off a month. AND THIS IS IT!