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Thread: Replacing broken Exhaust Studs

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Houston TX
    Posts
    292

    Default Replacing broken Exhaust Studs

    Replacing catalytic converter and snapped 3 of 4 exhaust studs. (downpipe) attached to exhaust manifolds. Did use penetrating lubricant...oh well. So I'll be removing the freakin exhaust manifolds this evening.

    Anyone remove broken skinny exhaust studs....use vise grips???

    Any help appreciated.

    Callen

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Boston & Attleboro MA
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    727

    Default

    Did you heat up the bolts first? Or use some of that stuff (dont know what its called) that you put on rusted bolts to loosen them up a bit?

    If you have a plumbing type torch try heating them up then go at em

    Quote Originally Posted by callen
    Replacing catalytic converter and snapped 3 of 4 exhaust studs. (downpipe) attached to exhaust manifolds. Did use penetrating lubricant...oh well. So I'll be removing the freakin exhaust manifolds this evening.

    Anyone remove broken skinny exhaust studs....use vise grips???

    Any help appreciated.

    Callen
    Current
    2008 M5 6 Spd
    2000 Z3 2.8 5 Spd MSport
    2012 X5 35d Sport
    1995 540i 6 Spd
    1992 535i 5 Spd

    Former
    1995 530iA
    1986 635CSI 5 Spd
    2011 X3 2.8 MSport

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by callen
    Replacing catalytic converter and snapped 3 of 4 exhaust studs. (downpipe) attached to exhaust manifolds. Did use penetrating lubricant...oh well. So I'll be removing the freakin exhaust manifolds this evening.

    Anyone remove broken skinny exhaust studs....use vise grips???

    Any help appreciated.

    Callen
    I recently sheared off one of mine. Tried squaring it off and applying heat and vice grips, no go. As there was a good 3/4" of stud remaining, I used a large bench vice to get enough grip to turn the sucker. The other option is to drop it by your favorite machine shop. $10 later, they'll remove them for you without the hastle.

    Good Luck,

    Dave M

    10/90 Build 525im, 630,000+km, Eibach/Sachs, Engine Rebuild
    *RIP Oskar the DOG *

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,640

    Default

    Pull the manifold. I'm assuming this is for the M30, not the M60, right?

    I tried to fix this from under the car - way too difficult vs. just pulling the manifold and doing in on the bench.

    BTW, I've found you don't break those suckers if you do the following:

    - hit above the nut with a little shot of penatrating oil
    - run the nut forward a turn or two
    - zap it below the nut with oil and back it off

    Every time I've broken one it's been when I've tried to back them directly off.

    Jeff
    Bellevue WA
    90 535iM - not much stock remains. 3.7 liters, ported head, cammed, 3.73 diffy, M5 brakes, MAFed, yadda yadda yadda
    86 Porsche 951 - Track Toy

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    296

    Default

    Watch out that you dont shear off the exhaust manifold studs inside of the head or you'll have a big job ahead of you (perhaps, taking off the head?)

    Presoak with lots of wd40 or PB Blaster and heat with a torch. Then use impact removal technique instead of a constant force or else they will be more likely to shear off.

    As for getting out of the manifold try get the surrounding metal really hot with a torch (propane or MAPP gas) and turn with vise grips and a hammer.

    If that doesn't work, drill them out. But it will be cheaper and easier to do as Dave M said if you don't have the proper tools.
    DanH
    1989 535iA 254k Miles
    1992 535iM 330k Miles

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    14,839

    Default

    drive it to a muffler shop where they can torch the leftover stud, retap and your good to go. As for messing with it yourself you have a good chance of turning this into a real nightmare for yourself.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Houston TX
    Posts
    292

    Default is my 535

    Was my 535......I'll pull manifolds this evening...soak them and try the bench vise trick....if not going to local machine shop....ARGHHHHH..

    thanks all for your input.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    Default

    you bust them all off yet?
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

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