I have a 98 gt and i'm trying to swap out the midpipe. I've spent about 10 hours on this thing and am one bolt away from getting the thing off. I can't get the bottom bolt on the passenger side off for the life of me. I've tried extensions and a u-joint, used a pipe on the end of that socket wrench, I've tried a cigarette lighter air impact wrench. I can't get any of these to work. I also am having no luck trying to run sockets/extensions through the fender well. It was enough trouble just trying to get to this bolt, because I had to take the engine mount bolt off to jack up the pipe in order to get the o2 sensor out. I'm out of ideas except for taking the starter off, which I have no idea how to even find the bolts other than the one visible one. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

I forgot how I took mine off, I remember it was a pain in the ***. I was working on it from 5 PM till about midnight (mid+catback). Try to look in from the engine bay, I can't remember exactly how but this might of been the way. I also used a pretty big extension, and a pipe for leverage. Good luck!

EDIT: I also used a torch to heat the nut up, it helped a little.

I did some quick research.

Remove the tire, and the plastic wheel covers and you will have direct access to it!
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-foru...ml#post5930034

 

I would also use some of those sprays that "loosen" bolts. That will help a lot as well (you gotta spray and let it seep in for an hour or so)

 

PB Blaster FTW. I got some for my x pipe install and will never use WD40 again. If you got the time spray the nut down good and let it sit over night and spray it again before you try and break it loose. If you don't have a torch you could start the car up for a little while to heat it up that way.

 

yeah, i've been using PB Blaster, but this bolt is a huge pain. I might try removing the tire and seeing if I can get better access that way unless there are any other ideas.

 

Will turning on my car be ok though with the o2 sensor out or should I try to apply heat in a different way (aka, hunt around for a torch)

 

The only thing that could happen is it throws a check engine light, but that would go away or get like autozone to delete it.

 

the check engine light wont come on unless its for two consecutive runs of about 10 minutes each. and if it does, it will go away after three consecutive cycles (once you have the o2 back on).

anyway, i just used a very solid breaker bar (a little over 12" long) and a big rachet on the other side, where i managed to wedge the rachet in place while applying a lot of pressure on the breaker bar. came off easy after that. but if thats not working, i give a +1 on the PB Blaster

 

One last question. How far is ok to drive w/o the front passenger sensor in? I may have to go about 30 miles to get to a shop that I know can take the dumb nut off...

 

Finally got the new pipe on. Thanks for the suggestions, but man those things are a real PITA the first time. On the bright side, I couldn't believe the sound increase.