ande5000

...you spend an entire evening hunting for just the right kind of SS allen head cap screws for the muffler straps, b/c you snapped one of the OE bolts.

In anticipation of FDM Stage IIIs arriving shortly (likely tomorrow!) I decided to remove the OE mufflers (which I need to send back to FDM anyway) ahead of time. No problem, I thought, and easily accomplished in < 1hr. Mmmm....wrong.

All went fine up until the point of loosening the final fastener, the driver's side muffler strap bolt. It had fused with the nut and wouldn't budge. No problem, I thought, the usual recipe of beau coup Liquid Wrench, I'd have it off in no time.

Well, 2 hours later....it's still frozen. Another half a can of LR, another 2 hours....still no movement. Now thoroughly irritated and not wanting to wait overnight, brought out the big gun - 1/2" drive breaker bar w/ 1/2" to 3/8" socket reduction applied to the 10 mm allen socket, 13mm wrench on the frozen nut, thoughts of applying the Dremel Tool to the bolt if this doesn't work....then, SNAP. It's off alright, snapped in half.

So, spent 3 hours tonight hunting for the right kinds of SS cap screws, which I found at an Ace Hardware store in another part of town. The nuts aren't quite the same, but they'll do. Also bought new coupler hardware while I was at it.

With suitable nice new hardware in hand, ready for FDM Stage III install (with anti-seize on the nuts!) and the expected aural reward. And just in time for a DE this weekend, too!

AOW162435

This is not crazed. This is normal.

Enjoy the symphony!


Andreas

600RR

Not crazed. However, if you opted for stainless bolts, then maybe a little crazed.

simpsoap

Seems like completely normal behavior to me. The things we do for our cars

Andy

bart1

I need a set of those, too. I had to buy some when doing an exaust project and was only able to get hex heads - quite inconvenient!

IXLR8

Which is why I apply anti-seize compound to almost all fasteners, especially on exhaust systems and spark plugs.

Stainless steel fasteners are nice, but they do have their drawbacks.

ande5000

Hehe....yeah, what most people might think of as "crazed" OCD-like behavior is completely normal for Rennlisters. All part of the fun of enjoying these magnificent machines.

Dudley

Truly "crazed" OCD-like behavior will require that you order OEM replacement fasteners even though you have found suitable fasteners at your local hardware store.

User 122821

I have a sorted bolt bins that I throw all the Porsche bolts from cars I've parted out. It's really saved me in just the same scenario.

ande5000

You are correct.

SKM

Why not just buy them from the dealer parts department?

Allen

I work in a German car assembly plant....I have no rusted bolts on my car....