engine and drivetrain Removing slip fit exhaust fitting

[NYNick]

I'm about ready to break out the Sawzall. My Ansa is attached to the exhaust pipe via a slip fit. There's about 4 inches of male pipe inside the connection. I banged the crap out of it and it won't budge. I tried some heat, PB blaster etc, and still nothing. I guess I could cut it to get it off the car and then have a small piece welded back on when it's time to refit....but geez.

 

Most people on the interweb say it's difficult, to impossible, especially if the U-joint has been tightened to the point of indenting the pipe. Any super secret double reverse BMW solutions? Not easy when your working underneath with jack stands. Grrrr...

[jgerock]

Soak with penetrant (I like Liquid Wrench), use a screwdriver/pry bar to lift the muffler tabs a bit then twist the muffler side to side to get it moving. It is harder to remove than the stock muffler since you don't get the extra leverage of the tip.

[LikeStig]

I think I remember Ed China on Wheeler Dealers taking an acetylene torch to a slip off exhaust fitting, get it hot and give it some serious whacks? I never got my Ansa pulled apart at one particular fitting and figured I'd try it with some more serious heat if I ever decide to pull it apart in the future.

[harold]

Are you trying to save either piece?   It you are scrapping the part that forms the outer part of the connection, the standard way to remove it is an air chisel with a muffler cutting tip. 

 

If you are trying to save both parts, or just the outer part , sometimes you can use the air chisel to partially cut the outer pipe on opposite sides, not all the way along the joint, but maybe halfway, allowing you to separate the two. 

 

Finally the never fail solution is oxy/acetylene -- heat the joint cherry red, then use a sledge hammer to drive them apart - hitting on the muffler outer seam, for example.   Since both layers are deformed, it takes heat to make the metal soft enough to come apart.

 

H

[NYNick]

I'm trying to save everything. I moved on to the header while you guys replied. That fought me too, but I won. I think it's a fake Stahl, but you be the judge. No name on it.

 

I lack Oxy/acetylene. I will try Mapp tomorrow. If that doesn't work, it's getting the sawzall... maybe.