Darrin
28-05-2007, 01:45
Well, I decided to do something about the rusted out and rattling exhaust on my Silverado. It made my truck sound like 10 times the P.O.S. it actually is.
So, I climb under there and start the removal process.
Now, please remember this truck is 17 years old and has spent its entire life in northern Minnesota, the capital of "Let's pour 4 tons of salt per mile on these roads for 6 months of the year". So none of the bolts underneath are in exactly pristine condition.
So, I dig out the 9/16 deep well socket. It doesn't fit. So I try the 5/8. Too big. You've GOT to be ****ting me!! Exhaust hangers are METRIC?!?!?
*grumbles a string of obscenities about idiotic automotive engineers*
Well, after a 3/8 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive ratchet with cheater bar, 1/2 drive ratchet with 16oz hammer assist, 1/2 drive electric impact driver, none of the hanger bolts have budged.
So out comes the sawzall. Two blades later, sawzall goes away.
Out comes the Dremel tool. 9 "heavy duty" cutting wheels later, I have one hanger loose. Dremel goes back in its case.
At this point I'm contemplating driving the truck (with the rear half of the exhaust dragging on the ground) over to my neighbor's house and firing up the cutting torch. Except he's out of acetylene....
**** IT!!!!!!!!!
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust1.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust2.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust3.jpg
So, I climb under there and start the removal process.
Now, please remember this truck is 17 years old and has spent its entire life in northern Minnesota, the capital of "Let's pour 4 tons of salt per mile on these roads for 6 months of the year". So none of the bolts underneath are in exactly pristine condition.
So, I dig out the 9/16 deep well socket. It doesn't fit. So I try the 5/8. Too big. You've GOT to be ****ting me!! Exhaust hangers are METRIC?!?!?
*grumbles a string of obscenities about idiotic automotive engineers*
Well, after a 3/8 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive ratchet with cheater bar, 1/2 drive ratchet with 16oz hammer assist, 1/2 drive electric impact driver, none of the hanger bolts have budged.
So out comes the sawzall. Two blades later, sawzall goes away.
Out comes the Dremel tool. 9 "heavy duty" cutting wheels later, I have one hanger loose. Dremel goes back in its case.
At this point I'm contemplating driving the truck (with the rear half of the exhaust dragging on the ground) over to my neighbor's house and firing up the cutting torch. Except he's out of acetylene....
**** IT!!!!!!!!!
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust1.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust2.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/chevy/exhaust3.jpg