need some directions from people with experience. i have cut the 1 nut/stud between the y and the cat. i still have another one to go. i tried to ply them apart with a flat head screw driver. it doesn't seem to do much. drilling it can be difficult because of the angle and the positioning. before cutting the 2nd nut/stud i need some direction to separate the 2 parts. thanks.

 

I hate to say it but this happened to me as well. Save yourself the trouble and go to an exhaust shop cause they're gonna need to blowtorch it to remove it. It only cost me $10 and I asked them no to tighten it with an impact gun. That's your best bet man. 10 bucks for a good 15 minutes of work to remove it. Cause it's not coming out if it's rusted or stripped

 

Corrosion can be a b...pain . What has always succeeded for me is to heat the stud nuts(what's left of them after the rust) with a torch (acetylene is ideal, but propane or butane will usually do the trick too). I've managed to save lots of studs this way and avoid having to drill out the old ones-the nut will need to be replaced though. Once you're cut/removed the nut you may get lucky and be able to separate the cat/Y at the joint. If not, line up a chisel between the cat and Y flanges and drive the chisel between the flanges with a hammer. I use a fairly thin chisel about .75-1 inch wide so I won't deform the flange if I hope to reuse either the cat or Y. Good luck!
PS...or just head to the muffler shop...lol

 

Heat and lots of it.

 

this dude said a flat head screwdriver. youre gonna need one about the size of my **** to get that ***** apart. you just need a hammer, a hole punch, and a propane torch.