Civic exhaust question

[Dessieb2022]

Hi everyone, just bought a 2011 Civic 1.4 petrol. On the way home the exhaust started to blow out (convenient). The middle pipe has been bodged multiple times through the years and was going to replace it. But on closer inspection the flange fastners between middle pipe and cat are in really bad shape. I thought about trying to remove the nuts holding it on but not sure what to do if the threads are shot on the studs.
I don't think mine are splined but may be welded in. They look an odd shape to me, any ideas?

 

[Nomad]

Expect the bolts to snap when you try to remove the nuts.
Angle grinder to remove the middle pipe.
Then drill out the snapped studs from the cat flange.
Rebuild with nuts & shake proof washers.

Others might have a better / easier fix.

 

[Dessieb2022]

I had thought about trying to drill them out if they snapped or were stripped but access isn't good to the top bolt of the 3. I don't think I could get a drill with bit in at a straight angle. I thought about going on forward if needs be to the next joint but access to remove it is hindered by the subframe!

 

[tom2207]

you may get away with using a die grinder to remove both ends of the ones you cant get a grinder in at , then punch out the core thats left , bit of a pita , but as the saying goes ..
have to , makes a hard master

 

[Dessieb2022]

you may get away with using a die grinder to remove both ends of the ones you cant get a grinder in at , then punch out the core thats left , bit of a pita , but as the saying goes ..
have to , makes a hard master

Yes die grinder may be a good option for the limited access to top bolt.

 

[Dessieb2022]

you may get away with using a die grinder to remove both ends of the ones you cant get a grinder in at , then punch out the core thats left , bit of a pita , but as the saying goes ..
have to , makes a hard master

Do you think the stud heads are welded in to flange or is it too corroded to tell? They look a weird shape to me.

 

[mr haynes]

If threads gubbed, cut the cat off and replace studs with nuts and bolts.
Much easier to do off the car, i.e. drop the exhaust for access

 

[Dessieb2022]

If threads gubbed, cut the cat off and replace studs with nuts and bolts.
Much easier to do off the car, i.e. drop the exhaust for access

Yes had thought about that but getting access to the next joint/flange looks a real pain. Could get a socket on the bolt heads using long extensions but can't yet see a way of getting a spanner on the nuts. Old cars great fun!

 

[tom2207]

Do you think the stud heads are welded in to flange or is it too corroded to tell? They look a weird shape to me.

they usually have a tack on them so they dont turn , some are just pushed in , usually round heads have a tack