Cat Removal

[Pytco]

Hello everyone, ive been a member for a little bit now and ive used the forums for lots of good things but on my current project I cant seem to find any good info so here I am asking for help.
I am trying to remove my cat to replace it and I am stuck on the last bolt, on the side that connect to the turbo. Bolt number 4 that is on the bottom next to the engine I cant get too easily and my extensions don't seem to be helping me. Ive let it soak in PB blaster over night, and tried again this morning to no avail. Does anyone have any insight or helpful tricks that would assist me in the removal of this thing?

Thank you for any help, it is VERY appreciated.

[BeerBrent]

Check the thread with all the DIY links.

[bakedziti]

From the top with a 10" extension and maybe another 4" extension FTW.

[Pytco]

Thank you BeerBrent and bakedziti. I will look there are give those extensions a try as well.

[poweredbyaudi7]

From the top with a 10" extension and maybe another 4" extension FTW.

This is exactly what I use. I have an extension that has a wobble end. It puts the ratchet against the firewall. I then use a breaker bar to get it off.

[Poodini]

Def use a 10” + wobble socket. You’ll need to come in at approx 90 degree angle starting from the firewall with socket facing downward, with you either standing to the passengers side or, if your tall/long, from the front end facing the car.
The OEM CAT is fat/wide so there’s little wiggle room to begin with. **tip: unless you have the hands of an 8 yo girl, you’ll be hard pressed to fit your hand in there to guide the socket onto the bolt head. DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR AND PURCHASE A MECHANIC’S VIEWING MIRROR! Preferably one that can bend like this:
Since you can’t see from either position as you’re feeling your way to seat the socket, the mirror will save you/your hands n forearm both time and suffering.
Last is to get some good lighting in there so you can actually see wtf you’re doing.
Once you get it off, give out a primal scream, huck your ratchet as far as you can (try not to kill/mame anyone), grab a cold one, and give that CAT a big ol’ ❗️

...you’re welcome...


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[Poodini]

Almost forgot,

If you’ve already removed the other 3 bolts, your CAT is effectively hanging on by that last PITA one. Our CATs aren’t exactly light so, try to adjust its position slightly to take some of the weight off that last bolt. It should make taking it off A LOT easier...


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[NathanGreatScott]

Once you get it off, give out a primal scream, huck your ratchet as far as you can (try not to kill/mame anyone), grab a cold one, and give that CAT a big ol’ ❗️

HAHAHA We've all been there! What a great feeling when you finally get that piece that's been torturing you in or out.

[Poodini]

^^
THIS! If I knew then what I know now re tips/tricks, it would’ve saved me A TON of time and expletives!
I look at it as a rite of passage. If you’ve come along this far as a DIY’er, it’s only fitting you go through some pain/suffering. Makes completing the job that much sweeter!

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[tominabox1]

^^
THIS! If I knew then what I know now re tips/tricks, it would’ve saved me A TON of time and expletives!
I look at it as a rite of passage. If you’ve come along this far as a DIY’er, it’s only fitting you go through some pain/suffering. Makes completing the job that much sweeter!

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I got a deep cut on my right knuckle while tearing out my cat...right of passage indeed! And I'll have a nice scar to prove it

[NathanGreatScott]

^^
THIS! If I knew then what I know now re tips/tricks, it would’ve saved me A TON of time and expletives!
I look at it as a rite of passage. If you’ve come along this far as a DIY’er, it’s only fitting you go through some pain/suffering. Makes completing the job that much sweeter!

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The worst is when you've been suffering on something for an hour+ and then your buddy comes over and does it in 5 minutes. A few years back I remember the front passenger strut assembly on my mk4 GTI was the bane of my existence for an afternoon. Then my father in law walks in, and BOOM, right into place. ERRRR

[NathanGreatScott]

I got a deep cut on my right knuckle while tearing out my cat...right of passage indeed! And I'll have a nice scar to prove it

haha I got a nice half inch one in the palm of my hand from a flat head slipping off something I was prying on my buddies Integra several years ago. good times

[tominabox1]

The worst is when you've been suffering on something for an hour+ and then your buddy comes over and does it in 5 minutes. A few years back I remember the front passenger strut assembly on my mk4 GTI was the bane of my existence for an afternoon. Then my father in law walks in, and BOOM, right into place. ERRRR

After fighting the cat for like 3 hours I would have been more than happy to have someone do this lol Ask my wife... I was done. lol

[IbisB8.5]

I just did this on Easter morning. I drove my car up on ramps and laid on my back, used a deep socket with a 10” extension then swivel and a 6” and broke it looses...it was pretty easy

Oh I will say I had my wife guide the socket on the nut from up top bec you can’t see it

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[LTopher]

I managed to get the two engine side bolts off with a normal 10" extension and deep socket without wobble or a mirror. So the wobble and mirror aren't must-haves for the job.

Once you get it off, give out a primal scream, huck your ratchet as far as you can (try not to kill/mame anyone), grab a cold one, and give that CAT a big ol’ ❗️

I laughed a bit when I got the four turbo side bolts off, thinking I had dodged a bullet. Little did I know the last of the three lower bolts had a big FU waiting for me in the form of a rusty nut that crumbled just enough so I couldn't get a socket or wrench on it.

[LTopher]

I just did this on Easter morning. I drove my car up on ramps and laid on my back, used a deep socket with a 10” extension then swivel and a 6” and broke it looses...it was pretty easy

Oh I will say I had my wife guide the socket on the nut from up top bec you can’t see it

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We all need our wife to guide us in every now and then

[TJet1.8]

ROFL....I read all the DIY threads and the pain all you guys went through to get that last bolt.
So I said "Screw it!"...my tuner can replace my CAT...

No scars on these manly hands...lol.

[kt883]

it wasn't hard to remove it if you use the combination of tools and extensions and my 3ft jack handle for extra leverage. Mine came off with little effort. The DIY really helped me and I posted my tools in it as well. Really helps to get indexable ratcheting wrenches. Might want to do the heavy duty prying with the non ratcheting side though

[Poodini]

The worst is when you've been suffering on something for an hour+ and then your buddy comes over and does it in 5 minutes. A few years back I remember the front passenger strut assembly on my mk4 GTI was the bane of my existence for an afternoon. Then my father in law walks in, and BOOM, right into place. ERRRR

. Well, you did work it out so by the time the old man strolled thru, like a hot knife thru butter!


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[NathanGreatScott]

. Well, you did work it out so by the time the old man strolled thru, like a hot knife thru butter!


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That's what I like to think too haha

[ferndj02]

One of my bolts ripped apart as I was taking it off... It destroyed part of the thread on the stud. Luckily, I bought redundant hardware in case I ran into that issue after reading all the horror stories in the DIY thread.

The nice thing was the stud was really easy to get out with vice grips.