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HELP! Cat converter won't separate from manifold

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Old 11-26-2014, 08:48 AM
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HELP! Cat converter won't separate from manifold

My catalytic converter (between the motor and the radiator) is bad. I removed the three bolts from the bottom and all the bolts and two nuts from the top of the cat. Four of the bolts from the top of the cat were unscrewed from underneath the car. The two nuts were removed from the top and seemed to hold the cat in place by studs.

With all that removed, the catalytic converter did not fall free. What am I missing? I am considering getting a crow bar and beating the hell out of it.

HELP!!!
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Old 11-26-2014, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by likethatyall
I am considering getting a crow bar and beating the hell out of it.
You got it. A little friendly persuasion is what it needs. Between corrosion and electrolytic action, things stick together.
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Old 11-27-2014, 05:01 AM
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exhaust work sucks, corrosion and repeated heat cycles make it difficult to get things apart at times, i would try letting some penetrating oil soak in for a little bit.

after that you may still be finding that you need to "persuade" things to go the way you want.

good luck!
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Old 11-27-2014, 05:44 AM
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Soak it in PB blaster for a while, then use aggression/violence/brute force with the help of a crowbar...
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Old 11-27-2014, 08:18 AM
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how many nuts and bolts did you remove from the top?
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Old 11-27-2014, 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Donkeypunch
how many nuts and bolts did you remove from the top?
At the top of the catalytic converter, from under the car there were four bolts to be removed and from the top of the car there were two nuts. So, a total of 6 nuts and bolts securing the top of the cat to the manifold. At the neck of the cat that connects to the B1 pre-cat there were three bolts that were removed.

Last edited by likethatyall; 11-27-2014 at 10:26 PM.
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Old 11-29-2014, 03:16 PM
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any other suggestions?
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Old 11-29-2014, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by likethatyall
any other suggestions?
Penetrant spray and a hammer...
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Old 11-29-2014, 03:43 PM
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Try more "persuasion"
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