Tips For Removing A Stuck/rusted Nut

Vortec-Z71 · October 18, 2008

My exhaust system is on order, so I decided to take a look under the truck and figure out how to remove my stock exhaust. It appears to be secured by two 15mm nuts. I was bored and decided to see how tight these nuts were. They wouldn't even budge. I don't know if it's rust or the high exhaust temps but those nuts weren't moving. Are there any tips or tricks to removing these? They're also in a pretty tight spot. Would my new GMPP exhaust system include new ones incase I damage these?

On a side note, how tough is it for an automotive shop to replace the backing plates for the rear brakes (I think that's what they're called, it looks like a metal shield). I saw that mine were rusted out when I was under my truck.

2000DV4.8 · October 18, 2008

When I took mine off, both just sheared off (the one in the back I had to use an impact wrench on). And they're not bolts, they're more like studs, and they're pressed in there. I had to drill through one of them, and then knock it out with an air chisel, and the other one I was able to just get behind with the air chisel. Wasn't a fun couple'a days.

jrrod2004 · October 18, 2008

When I took mine off, both just sheared off (the one in the back I had to use an impact wrench on). And they're not bolts, they're more like studs, and they're pressed in there. I had to drill through one of them, and then knock it out with an air chisel, and the other one I was able to just get behind with the air chisel. Wasn't a fun couple'a days.

ouch

2000DV4.8 · October 18, 2008

Hey, at least I have an air chisel now!

jrrod2004 · October 18, 2008

Hey, at least I have an air chisel now!

torque wrench....

jrrod2004 · October 18, 2008

I dont like dealing with air chisels unless the truck is on a lift.

2000DV4.8 · October 18, 2008

I dont like dealing with air chisels unless the truck is on a lift.

After that, me neither. The first couple seconds I didn't have earplugs in, and holy SHIT was that loud.

jrrod2004 · October 18, 2008

I dont like dealing with air chisels unless the truck is on a lift.

After that, me neither. The first couple seconds I didn't have earplugs in, and holy SHIT was that loud.

yeah but you have the extra clearance of the 4X4 stance, my shit is lowered by 2 inches .

OP, good pics of the bolts, now all you need is your truck. I would recommend an air chisel or a torque wrench. if you know you are not going to start the truck up, use penetrating oil (WD40), only if you are not going to start it up...otherwise your truck is toast

Zembonez · October 18, 2008

DON'T FORCE THEM!

GOOD penetrating lube and patience. If you soak them overnight (repeatedly) and work them back and forth once they break loose, they will eventually come off in one piece. (most likely anyway) A good wire brush taken to the threads will help once they break loose. If you force the hell out of them, they will break and cause you grief. (not good)

Vortec-Z71 · October 18, 2008

What do you reccommend using as a lube and can this be done without a torque wrench?

jrrod2004 · October 18, 2008

What do you reccommend using as a lube and can this be done without a torque wrench?

It can, but you will have to give it a little more muscle...does the new system required it to be torqued???

Vortec-Z71 · October 18, 2008

What do you reccommend using as a lube and can this be done without a torque wrench?

It can, but you will have to give it a little more muscle...does the new system required it to be torqued???

I don't know. You'd have to ask one of the other guys on here that has a GMPP system.

DamageInc · October 18, 2008

Soak it for a few days with penetrating oil, and you might get them loose. We used to use the heat riser penetrant at the Chevy dealer. It works awesome on rusty bolts, if they still have it.

Otherwise, just heat them with a torch and spin them off, preferably with an impact.

The backing plates will be a bit of a PITA, since you have to pull the axles to do it.

pennzoil29 · October 18, 2008

1. patients

2. lubricating spray

3. a little muscle

4. patients

5. more lubricating spray

6. more patients

7. some more muscle

8. more lubricating spray

9. some choice 4 letter words

10. a stick of dynamite

fbachman · October 18, 2008

1. patients
2. lubricating spray

3. a little muscle

4. patients

5. more lubricating spray

6. more patients

7. some more muscle

8. more lubricating spray

9. some choice 4 letter words

10. a stick of dynamite