[Z06] Exhaust hanger bolts? - Help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Exhaust hanger bolts? - Help
I unbolted the exhaust to drop it to work on the back and when I looked at the bolts they are inside the frame rail 
Now I know they didn't form these with the bolt in there so where do you gain access to push the bolts back in place?
Now I know they didn't form these with the bolt in there so where do you gain access to push the bolts back in place?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
What kind of exaust do you have? I had magnaflows on the car at first and they used a threaded metal tab that stuck up in the hole and then put a double sided bolt into it.
Your not by any chance going to the Summit Racing grand opening tomorrow up in atlanta? I can take a look at it.
Your not by any chance going to the Summit Racing grand opening tomorrow up in atlanta? I can take a look at it.
Last edited by dragon84; Mar 10, 2006 at 08:07 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville VA
When I change the exhausts I use a magnet on the end of a screwdriver and pull the bolts down until I can work them through the hanger. I believe if you pull off the finish panel at the rear of the car you can access the bolts directly under the taillights. Good luck!! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
If you're saying what I think I did the same thing! I dropped the mufflers on the Z to install a hitch. One side the bolts stayed in place. The other side the little f$%&*rs popped up into the frame!
I have been told that one of the panels removed does let you get into the bumper frame like megavettes said. I was already installing the hitch and had a 1" hole cutter on my drill. So I drilled a 1" hole in between where the 2 bolts come through. Then used a magnet to move the plate they are attached to. They metal plate is almost like a U-bolt but the top is flat and the bolt threads are welded to it. You have to get the flat part to move around and then carefully get the tip of the bolt threads with a magnet. I tried doing it without drilling the hole and it just wouldn't move to the magnet. Why GM didn't tack those down I'll never know.
I learned that in the future as soon as you loosen those nuts and get the hanger to drop. Put the nuts back on the bolts a couple of turns and then it can't disappear back into to the frame.
Graham
I have been told that one of the panels removed does let you get into the bumper frame like megavettes said. I was already installing the hitch and had a 1" hole cutter on my drill. So I drilled a 1" hole in between where the 2 bolts come through. Then used a magnet to move the plate they are attached to. They metal plate is almost like a U-bolt but the top is flat and the bolt threads are welded to it. You have to get the flat part to move around and then carefully get the tip of the bolt threads with a magnet. I tried doing it without drilling the hole and it just wouldn't move to the magnet. Why GM didn't tack those down I'll never know.
I learned that in the future as soon as you loosen those nuts and get the hanger to drop. Put the nuts back on the bolts a couple of turns and then it can't disappear back into to the frame.
Graham
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
vms4evr, looks like we were doing the exact same thing, I'm installing a draw-tite hitch. I'm not terrible excited about the 1" holes that are needed but I have no choice. I'll try a magnet to see if I can fish them into place.
The install direction on the hitch say to cut the outer tabs from the facia, that seems crazy, did you do this? I was thinking of gringing out a recess in the plates to accomadate the tab. It's a lot of work but think it would be better for the car and the rear facia staying tight.
The install direction on the hitch say to cut the outer tabs from the facia, that seems crazy, did you do this? I was thinking of gringing out a recess in the plates to accomadate the tab. It's a lot of work but think it would be better for the car and the rear facia staying tight.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Well I got one side to pop down in but the other isn't even close. I got the whole hitch installed and now I can get it completed if I can get the one side. I really don't want to drill more holes, seems a bit much.
I may need to get to the brake light wiring to hook up a trailer plug. If I remove any of the panels from inside the car is this where your talking about? Or are you talking about hte whole rear facia piece?
I may need to get to the brake light wiring to hook up a trailer plug. If I remove any of the panels from inside the car is this where your talking about? Or are you talking about hte whole rear facia piece?
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 372
From: Philadelphia PA
Same thing happened to me. Was advised by a local Vette mechanic that he used a telescopic magnetic pen. Went to Lowe's and picked one up. Worked like a charm. It takes some wiggling once you put the tip in.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 217
From: Arizona AZ
[QUOTE. Why GM didn't tack those down I'll never know.
Graham[/QUOTE]
As I laid on my back cursing I was wondering the same thing. I wiggled mine back into the hole and then cleaned up the puddle of sweat, or at least I think it was sweat.
Graham[/QUOTE]
As I laid on my back cursing I was wondering the same thing. I wiggled mine back into the hole and then cleaned up the puddle of sweat, or at least I think it was sweat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Originally Posted by Dolfan
Well I got one side to pop down in but the other isn't even close. I got the whole hitch installed and now I can get it completed if I can get the one side. I really don't want to drill more holes, seems a bit much.
I may need to get to the brake light wiring to hook up a trailer plug. If I remove any of the panels from inside the car is this where your talking about? Or are you talking about hte whole rear facia piece?
I may need to get to the brake light wiring to hook up a trailer plug. If I remove any of the panels from inside the car is this where your talking about? Or are you talking about hte whole rear facia piece?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...52&forum_id=23
I suppose if you're really patient you could play with a magnet pen and get it sooner or later. Since I was already loose with the hole cutter I said screw it and made another hole. It really doesn't hurt that bad, honest.
Btw, I guess now you have the hitch and the trailer our paths will probably cross at RA or RR. I'll be in a 02 QS Z06 pulling the 4x6 trailer.
Graham
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Thanks for all the help, this morningwith only a piece of wire hanger I managed to get the bolt in place. Sometimes a fresh look at the problem works better than sitting there for hours swearing and cussing.
Although I've done that plenty :-)
Hitch is in and wired up so I'm ready to roll, thanks.
Although I've done that plenty :-)
Hitch is in and wired up so I'm ready to roll, thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Good deal. Glad to hear it. Installing the Drawtite on the C5 is a peice of cake compared to installing a Reese hitch on a C4... Been there, done that, got the scars...
Wish someone would have told me about those damned exhaust hanger bolts before I started.
Wish someone would have told me about those damned exhaust hanger bolts before I started.
