Hi, all
I am in the process of removing my driver side exhaust manifold for assessing to an oil line I am replacing. I was able to remove the hex bolts that go through the manifold / heat exchanger assy. But I cannot get the regular nuts off with a standard 13mm socket with swivel or a 13mm wrench. Is there a tool I need or do any of you have a trick for this.
Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

The best tool for that job is a "Swivel-Socket end wrench" you can buy them either double end or combination. Have a look on the net, Snap On makes a nice one but you pay through your nose, so find a supplier with reasonable prices.

 

This is what I use with an extension. A socket swivel combo which has a shallow socket head.

 

Never mind a ¼" drive universal swivel worked perfectly.

 

Sorry guys I didn’t notice your posts.
Thanks for your input.

 

+1 This works much better.

 

I have the opposite issue - one of the hex barrel nuts completely rounded out. Looking through the hole in the manifold, it appears the exhaust stud is a tad long and I guess there was not a lot of surface area for the allen wrench (sir tools P243) to grab.

I have sprayed it several times with PB blaster, but at the moment, I am at a loss as to what to try next. The nut in question is on the left side, flywheel end - IMHO the most inaccessible nut on the car.

Suggestions?

 

This is what I use with an extension. A socket swivel combo which has a shallow socket head.

this was the best for me too.

i used cans of Liquid Wrench let it soak over night


i would reverse drill the Allans out

 

I forget which size allen for those nuts, but go to the next size up in allen wrench and tap it in with a hammer. You will probably have to go to a standard size i.e. 10 m/m = .3937" then go to a 7/16" or a 13/32" if you can find one. Make sure the edges on the end of the allen wrench are sharp.

 

If interested, here is how I got the allen nut off:

I used a center punch to put a mark on the side of the nut
I took a long ~0.5cm bit and drilled through the nut into the stud
Using a long flat head screwdriver and a hammer, I tapped on the side of the hole and got the nut to move almost 1/2 a turn
Enough of the socket was exposed to use the allen wrench to remove

Success. Exhaust off - now to replace the stud