Just had s3x with yukon for 2 days, we tried allll different poses and my hand/fingers tried going into extremely tight places.
Developed an exhaust leak and smell.
All bolts on manifold were intact, but soapy water test indicated leak at driver side last bolt.
Got myself bolt extractors, new gaskets and 3 different clamps just incase.
Started taking off bolts, sprayed overnight.
As soon as i touch that last bolt it breaks apart.
Take out others, 4 come out good 1 breaks.
Couldnt take manifold off of ypipe, it’s stuck dead there, none of the bolts moved
Didn’t go torch way as it was waaaay to hard to reach there to take them out, bolts come from underneath.
So i used big iron handle to move manifold a little and fit in extractor, front bolt came out easy, last bolt in the back I couldn’t bend manifold enough to fit extractor and have room for taking bolt out
I’m thinking no problem right, i got the bracket/clamp!
I reach out to that super tight back area and there’s something screwed into top hole.
A piece of some material attached other side to the car body, and ofc the bolt in the back was attached with most amount of torque they could produce.
Took me maybe few hours to come up with monster link to get in there and break it loose, while smashing the ratchet into my face.
Now comes installing part, the back side is so tight fit you can barely put 2 fingers in there from top or from bottom/side through wheel well.
There was no way to install that bottom bolt, i even removed firewall, but my hands are big and I couldn’t get in there, would probably need some crazy long offset ratchet.
Frustrated i decided to keep it on one bolt, at least something pushin down the manifold.
Installed everything back, no leaks so far, runs smooth.
Will see if it develops a leak again, if it does I’ll find some super long offset wrench or take it to shop to get manifold off and remove broken bolt.
Also noticed a lot of rust under flare, luckily I’m close to Detroit so tons of spare parts, will probably swap both sides and bumper over winter.
Have a great Canadian Thanksgiving everyone!
Great post, I feel your pain. Good job.