acidhax said: So, new exhaust arrived. Its been about 4 hours and I _CAN'T_ get the heat shield off from above. One bolt is NOT moving. I sprayed it with some liquid wrench and it still won't budge. It's all rounded off.



The heat shield is not coming off.



I then proceeded to just try and remove the exhaust from the bottom without removing the heat shield from above. It's impossible.



How did you all do it!?!



I'm about to give up. Click to expand...

Glad to see you finally got it. For the record, what type of exhaust are you installing?For future reference: The heat shield bolts are external torx, or e-torx. The size is E-10, I believe and the easiest way to loosen them is with a ratcheting e-torx box wrench. On my car a 1/4 in. drive ratchet and socket would not fit. Remove the drivers side bolt and the center bolt. The passenger side bolt just needs to be loosened, then pull the heat shield up for clearance.The exhaust flange bolt are removed with a e-torx box wrench or socket. I think they are size E-12. Aftermarket mufflers are usually made with a larger pipe size, so the regular e-torx socket may not fit on the bolt. In that case a deep socket should work.Sometimes exhaust bolts are not rusty and spin right out.Okay, that was BS. In some cases getting the exhaust hot helps if one can not heat the bolts to break the rust loose and loosen the bolt. It can also loosen the skin on your hands as well, so care is required.Now, here is today's hot tip for freeing stuck, rusted bolts and nuts. Dry ice. Assuming sufficient accessibility. Dry ice will shrink the bolt enough to break it loose and it leaves no messy residue. Use protection for your hands.After all, nobody likes having their nuts stuck.