Muffler removal - can I just cut the bolts?

[spandit]

The nuts holding the muffler/silencer onto the heat exchanger don't look like they're going to be willing to come undone any time soon - looking at diagram 1.55, it seems part 72 is just a short piece of M8 studding, albeit with a non-threaded portion in the middle. Can I just cut the nuts off and replace with normal studding or bolts (if I can get them in)?

I'm pretty sure the answer will be "yes" but thought I'd check!

[Jim LaGuardia]

You can cut the 6 flange bolts, they are 8x 1.25 bolts with nuts.
Do Not cut the mounting studs for the front mount assembly

[spandit]

Not sure how I'm going to cut them - not a lot of clearance up there! Might have to see if I can wangle a spanner in there.

On closer inspection, the tailpipe was completely rotten so I've cut it off. The stub (about 4") that is left is in OK condition and there are a couple of small holes in the muffler/silencer which I'll try patching...


...now where's the JB Weld?

[Jim LaGuardia]

Use your noodle, get the blue wrench out (torch) and burn em out.
It is usually quicker and less messy though to use two long wrenches and break them off

[spandit]

Jim, you don't know me very well. If I had access to oxy-acetylene cutting equipment I would have died from the resulting explosion long ago

Will try snapping them off - good job I've just bought some new spanners!

[Squiggas]

I had the same problem. Got them off with a nut splitter.

[Bryn Pinzgauer]

Nut splitter worked a treat here too, although I took both the silencer and heat exchanger off first to get better access.