Installing exhaust. How to reach bolt?

[Smpetrik]

I'm trying to install a Borla exhaust in the garage with jack stands. Seems straight forward from what I've read and the DIY instructions on the forums. However, I can't seem to reach and get the socket onto the 3rd bolt to remove the down pipe to the Borla front pipe. I'm not installing new down pipes. Is there a secret that I don't know? It seems that if they would have put the nut on the other side, or used a bolt instead of the rounded head fastener, it would have been easier. Any suggestions?

[DGVR6]

Throw your flame suit on brotha

[SteveYem]

I'm trying to install a Borla exhaust in the garage with jack stands. Seems straight forward from what I've read and the DIY instructions on the forums. However, I can't seem to reach and get the socket onto the 3rd bolt to remove the down pipe to the Borla front pipe. I'm not installing new down pipes. Is there a secret that I don't know? It seems that if they would have put the nut on the other side, or used a bolt instead of the rounded head fastener, it would have been easier. Any suggestions?

Technically, if you are installing the full Borla system then you are replacing the stock downpipes. The front two pipes of the Borla system (the ones with the flex joints in them) go in place of the stock downpipes.

AWE sells this special tool to get that nut off:
http://www.awe-tuning.com/awe-tuning-downpipe-removal-tool

I haven't attempted the installation myself yet, but in my estimation their tool serves the same purpose as a crow's foot attachment, but their tool is more convenient because it goes all the way around the nut (like a box wrench) to prevent the wrench from slipping off the nut as you try to break it loose.

I agree with you 100% that a bolt with a nut would have been much more convenient than pressed-in studs and nuts. Or at least they could have pressed the studs into the catalytic converter flange instead of the downpipe flange. But that's OEM engineering for ya.

[Smpetrik]

Technically, if you are installing the full Borla system then you are replacing the stock downpipes. The front two pipes of the Borla system (the ones with the flex joints in them) go in place of the stock downpipes.

AWE sells this special tool to get that nut off:
http://www.awe-tuning.com/awe-tuning-downpipe-removal-tool

I haven't attempted the installation myself yet, but in my estimation their tool serves the same purpose as a crow's foot attachment, but their tool is more convenient because it goes all the way around the nut (like a box wrench) to prevent the wrench from slipping off the nut as you try to break it loose.

I agree with you 100% that a bolt with a nut would have been much more convenient than pressed-in studs and nuts. Or at least they could have pressed the studs into the catalytic converter flange instead of the downpipe flange. But that's OEM engineering for ya.

Thank you. That makes more sense. Didn't realize it was technically down pipes as Borla called them the front pipes. This is why I don't work on cars for a living, and try to tinker with small things on the car. I have to know my limitations!

[drob23]

My guess is they do this to help prevent theft of cats? Definitely a PITA...I likewise used the AWE tool when I installed my nuespeed exhaust.

Also here's a good pic of the exhaust system, relative to the language used in this section
http://www.goapr.com/includes/img/products/exhaust_b8_s4_30tfsi_oem_catback.gif

[SteveYem]

Thank you. That makes more sense. Didn't realize it was technically down pipes as Borla called them the front pipes. This is why I don't work on cars for a living, and try to tinker with small things on the car. I have to know my limitations!

No problem! Yeah, "downpipe" is really a colloquialism that the car enthusiast world has adopted. I had one of the stock ones replaced under warranty on my previous S4 and if I remember correctly the Audi service department paperwork referred to it is an "SOP Pipe", or something like that.

[SteveYem]

My guess is they do this to help prevent theft of cats? Definitely a PITA...I likewise used the AWE tool when I installed my nuespeed exhaust.

Also here's a good pic of the exhaust system, relative to the language used in this section
http://www.goapr.com/includes/img/products/exhaust_b8_s4_30tfsi_oem_catback.gif

Using the AWE tool was it still difficult to get the nut(s) loose? In other words, does the AWE make the job "easy", or does it just make the job "easier"....if that makes any sense?

[drob23]

Using the AWE tool was it still difficult to get the nut(s) loose? In other words, does the AWE make the job "easy", or does it just make the job "easier"....if that makes any sense?

It's all relative I think. I did it on jackstands without room for a creeper and I'm not experienced at all with wrenching. It was really the first "major" car job I'd ever done to that point (which should put things in perspective lol). Still hard to get the nut loose and then tough to tighten the replacement bolt/nut. But I wouldn't have been able to do it without that tool.

But on a lift with someone more skilled in the art...probably easy without the tool lol

[SteveYem]

It's all relative I think. I did it on jackstands without room for a creeper and I'm not experienced at all with wrenching. It was really the first "major" car job I'd ever done to that point (which should put things in perspective lol). Still hard to get the nut loose and then tough to tighten the replacement bolt/nut. But I wouldn't have been able to do it without that tool.

But on a lift with someone more skilled in the art...probably easy without the tool lol

Thanks for the honest review. I'm semi-experienced with wrenching but I always expect the worst. I would also be doing the job on jackstands in the driveway, which always blows, but local shops want to charge 2+ hours for the install last I checked. If they wanted $100 I'd probably let the pros do it, but when it starts getting up in the $200+ range that's a tough sell for me.

The really crappy part about those pressed-in studs is that I think it requires removing the rest of the exhaust to allow clearance for getting those studs out of the cat. converter flange holes.

[drob23]

Thanks for the honest review. I'm semi-experienced with wrenching but I always expect the worst. I would also be doing the job on jackstands in the driveway, which always blows, but local shops want to charge 2+ hours for the install last I checked. If they wanted $100 I'd probably let the pros do it, but when it starts getting up in the $200+ range that's a tough sell for me.

The really crappy part about those pressed-in studs is that I think it requires removing the rest of the exhaust to allow clearance for getting those studs out of the cat. converter flange holes.

I'd put it like this, if you have lots of socket tools, extensions, crows feet etc., you should be able to do it without the AWE tool. If you are buying tools specifically for this job, I'd get the AWE tool, despite the cost and lack of future utility...mainly because it just works. But I'm not the most fiscally responsible person I know lol.

[Jabroni1485]

When i did mine i just used extensions, and cut a 12mm? wrench in half with a band saw. then welded another piece on the end so i could use it with a ratchet.

[a4huey09]

The tool helps but its still a huge PITA.

[SteveYem]

I'd put it like this, if you have lots of socket tools, extensions, crows feet etc., you should be able to do it without the AWE tool. If you are buying tools specifically for this job, I'd get the AWE tool, despite the cost and lack of future utility...mainly because it just works. But I'm not the most fiscally responsible person I know lol.

Yeah but didn't you see on the AWE website that it can be used later as a key chain? So like, hey, free key chain!

[littleredwagen]

we got to that nut from the top with really long extensions and a swivel, worked beautifully

[drob23]

Yeah but didn't you see on the AWE website that it can be used later as a key chain? So like, hey, free key chain!

lol...maybe go prince albert with it.

[SteveYem]

lol...maybe go prince albert with it.

"Congratulations on the purchase of your downpipe nut removal tool slash micropenis cock ring! Because if your dick didn't fit through this 12mm hole, you wouldn't have had to by an S4 in the first place!"

Sorry, I'm bored at work.

[drob23]

"Congratulations on the purchase of your downpipe nut removal tool slash micropenis cock ring! Because if your dick didn't fit through this 12mm hole, you wouldn't have had to by an S4 in the first place!"

Sorry, I'm bored at work.

Whoa whoa steve...easy there...I said prince albert and you went all cock ring with it. Hmm guess I need to do a little google image searching, safe search = off (cause that's how I roll at work).

[Smpetrik]

"Congratulations on the purchase of your downpipe nut removal tool slash micropenis cock ring! Because if your dick didn't fit through this 12mm hole, you wouldn't have had to by an S4 in the first place!"

Sorry, I'm bored at work.

Multipurpose purchases! Easier to justify spending the money

[BoostEasy]

we got to that nut from the top with really long extensions and a swivel, worked beautifully

I was just looking at 2 different pictures of the 3.0T out of a car and the view of this pipe from the bottom as wondering this exactly. I can't see for sure if an extension would have a straight shot from the top but I keep a 2-3 foot+ extension around for this very reason.

Good to know it works if I have to do it!

[S4 00 2.7]

we got to that nut from the top with really long extensions and a swivel, worked beautifully

+1

[a4huey09]

we got to that nut from the top with really long extensions and a swivel, worked beautifully

I did this as well but it was still hard to gain much purchase on the bolt.

[Skidrowe]

Here's what I did. In the thread are also links to what other people did. The AWE tool isn't necessary, but it would make it a lot easier.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/493254-How-I-removed-the-last-bolt-on-the-passenger-side-down-pipe

-Skid

[chaos2984]

It was easy. Ive done it on jack stands and a lift. The AWE tool makes it a piece of cake. I used the AWE tool a decent extension and a 3/8 ratchet and bring it down to the underside of the car and you can get a couple of 1/4 turns on it each time and then should be able to finish it by hand. Oh and DO NOT resuse the copper nuts. They are only good for one time use. Since they are copper they are soft and when you tighten them up the threads stretch a little and you can end up stripping the nut if you over tighten it.

[millerrh]

I used the AWE tool to remove mine as well and it was pretty straight forward. The install of the AWE downpipes (not sure if Borla was the same), required a bolt and nut to be secured. This required a crows-foot attachment to get at some of the bolt heads and I used the AWE tool to grab the nut. Plus a really long extension for my socket set. Once I figured out the crows foot thing, it was not that difficult getting it on, but was time consuming.

[SteveYem]

I used the AWE tool to remove mine as well and it was pretty straight forward. The install of the AWE downpipes (not sure if Borla was the same), required a bolt and nut to be secured. This required a crows-foot attachment to get at some of the bolt heads and I used the AWE tool to grab the nut. Plus a really long extension for my socket set. Once I figured out the crows foot thing, it was not that difficult getting it on, but was time consuming.

Thanks for the heads-up about the crows foot and extension. I will have to pick those up in addition to the AWE tool.

[turbophreak]

we got to that nut from the top with really long extensions and a swivel, worked beautifully

Matt, do you remember how long of an extension you ended up using?

[littleredwagen]

Matt, do you remember how long of an extension you ended up using?

No but I think more than 2 feet and one universal in there somewhere since its an odd angle