Help with o2 housing removal/install

Galant409VR$ · 04-23-2010

I just bought an o2 housing and was trying to get the old one off but it seams that if I put any more tq on the bolts they might break off? Any help ful tips that might help? Should I spray some pb plaser stuff on the bolts for a couple of days? Or should I run the car and get them up to temp?

Thanks
409/2000 GVR4

RadDsm · 04-23-2010

PB blaster works wonders, give that a shot. Make sure you use a decent amount and let it soak in.

Heat makes things expand, so I don't know if that would work better.

Constant_Project21 · 04-23-2010

If you have a torch, you can carefully heat up the outsides of the bolts (not the actual bolts, just around them). That frees up o2 housing bolts pretty easily, but you should be able to get it off with just PB blaster and a breaker bar.

Also, when installing the new one, put anti-seize on the bolts/nuts to save yourself the trouble next time.

**LingLing** · 04-23-2010

I got sick of busting my knuckles from getting stubborn bolts loose so I invested in a 3 foot length of pipe and use that as my uber bar of leverage. Stick it on the end of your ratchet or breaker bar and have at it.

PB and plus a breaker bar with an extra uber bar of leverage should do the trick. Just remember to apply the pressure gradually.

Galant409VR$ · 04-23-2010

It's not that I can't get them loose it's that the one on top is coming out really hard. I have to turn it out a couple of ratchets and turn it in alittle to work it out. My concern is that if it brakes off in my turbo im kinda s.o.l! Have any of you had one brake off or are they tuff?
How do the o2 housing to downpipe bolts usually come out? Do the nuts turn off the studs or does the stud come right out of the o2 housing? And last is it easier to take off the power steering pump and bracket and move them aside?

Tnanks
409/2000 GVR4

Constant_Project21 · 04-23-2010

If they break, you just have to drill out the broken bolt, then re-tap it. Stock o2 housings use a stud/nut style, usually easiest to get from the bottom.

4g63tcrazy · 04-23-2010

If its coming out really hard the threads are messed up. I've done it a million times. You can to sit there and work the bolt in and out over and over til it finally comes out. Otherwise you snap it and have bigger problems to deal with. Just work it loose a little and then tighten, then loosen a little more, ect. It will eventually work its way out.