My rear exhaust manifold studs need replacing. I was wondering how hard would it be to replace those and what if they need to be drilled out what would have to happen. I am getting a y-pipe and if i replace that then i want to replace the studs too instead of paying $300 for the shop to do it. Thanks

-Mike

 

The only thing I can offer in regards to that, is that it seems to be easier to win the lottery than to replace those fargin' rear studs!

 

Yeah, it's tough. Best chance is to get the car on a lift, have a hoist attached to the engine to hold it up, sicne you will have to removet he rear engine mount and hardware. It'd be even easier if you remove the entire engine crossmember underneath. Then you must removet he y-pipe and rear exhaust manifold, and you should have some room to work with down there. Best to let a shop do it, if they screw it up, let them fix it!

 

yeah thats what i will probably do. Just let the shop take care of it.
thanks anyways guys.

-Mike

 

Ive already said this in another thread but Im Pulling the read head this weekend because of a broke stud. From all the research Ive done that seems to be the way to go. Ill have the results (HOPEFULY) monday and with pics.
Dano

 

Do you have new head bolts? Don't reuse the old ones. They stretch when you torque them down. You must get new ones.

 

Have bolts and head bold tool too. Have tons of gaskets and nuts and bolts and washers. Hope I can figure out where they all go.

 

Cool good job, looks like you've done your research. Do you have a VG or VE? I yanked both my VE heads for exhaust stud fix, VTC replacement and oil galley cleaning (they weren't dirty at all). IF you have a VE, replace your knock sensor and subharness while you're down there! And your water pump will be much easier to replace then. Food for thought...

 

Thanks agian. I look forward to reading your write up when you complete this task.

-Mike

 

I don't think the average shade-tree mechanic is going to remove their cylinder heads just to drill out exhaust studs. It's a very time consuming and laborious procedure and you had better be sure everything lines back up when it's all back together.

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