need to remove both cats as having to replace gearbox.
have managed to remove bolts that secure cats to centre exhaust system but i am struggling to remove nuts that secure cats to manifolds.
1) what size nuts are they  15mm  ???

2) what tools are needed as everything i have tried i cant seem to get enough purchase on them.

3) do cats need to be removed to remove gearbox ???

sorry its a bit long winded but any help would be grateful

16 or 17mm, couple of extensions, breaker bar or torque wrench for leverage, cats off

tried a universal joint because very awkward to get at.
do the sockets need to be long reach ?? bit hard to see whats going on up there as i wear verifocal glasses and a pain in the arse when looking upwards  >:(

RobG wrote on 21. Aug 2011 at 16:34:

16 or 17mm, couple of extensions, breaker bar or torque wrench for leverage, cats off

1)  16mm
2)  16mm socket, long extensions and breaker bar - try soaking in plusgas first  :y
3)  Fraid so mate

had plus gas on them and in my mouth and eyes.
will have another go later  :y

begining to wish i had never started this  >:(

noel wrote on 21. Aug 2011 at 21:19:

begining to wish i had never started this  >:(

Perseverance :y

cant even get the 16mm socket to grip and a15mm seems to tight.
bit scared im going to cock this up. :-[

Ahhh the joys of owning a 4 pot, I can just reach in from the bonnet and access all exhaust manifold studs  :D

I would not be surprised if the nuts had been changed over the years, I remember working on a V6 which had 4 different sizes on one bank  :o  ;D ;D

would be so bad if you could undo from inside the engine bay  but there is only a nut on cat side and none on manifold side. :(

You need a deep 16mm socket, the normal ones just aren't deep enough.  The nuts may be a little corroded so you may have to tap the socket onto the nut slightly.  The larger spark plug sockets fit the task perfectly ::)

just bought some more sockets so going to have another crack at it,pardon the pun  ;)

right 3 nuts off but top nut passenger side is having none of it ( badly rounded now ).
is it possible to remove gear box with just one cat removed (drivers side removed ) ??? >:(

noel wrote on 22. Aug 2011 at 13:18:

right 3 nuts off but top nut passenger side is having none of it ( badly rounded now ). is it possible to remove gear box with just one cat removed (drivers side removed ) ??? >:(

Never tried it mate - remember you need to remove/replace in a straight line, not at an angle.  Cannot recollect clearances.

I think you are going to have to persevere. The reason? The o ring gasket between the end of the cat and the manifold will need replacing. I had to reuse mine pending getting new ones and one blew really badly.

If you have some old sockets whitworth or AF you might find something that you can "hammer on" by testing on a nut you have taken off already. More plus gas. Also watch out for falling sockets! I got one right on the bridge of my nose doing that job.

Two man job doing the gearbox but you know that.

Varche wrote on 22. Aug 2011 at 18:03:

I think you are going to have to persevere. The reason? The o ring gasket between the end of the cat and the manifold will need replacing. I had to reuse mine pending getting new ones and one blew really badly. If you have some old sockets whitworth or AF you might find something that you can "hammer on" by testing on a nut you have taken off already. More plus gas. Also watch out for falling sockets! I got one right on the bridge of my nose doing that job. Two man job doing the gearbox but you know that.

When I did mine (autobox has been out twice now - once for repair and once for replacement) I reused the O ring gaskets both times - must have been lucky as have'nt leaked.  :y

have'nt had the socket in the nose but have had the torque wrench in the nuts. :'(
but i wont be beaten by 1 nut :-/

noel wrote on 22. Aug 2011 at 18:41:

have'nt had the socket in the nose but have had the torque wrench in the nuts. :'( but i wont be beaten by 1 nut :-/

Bloody hell mate what happened to your other nut?  :) ;D ;D ;)

still got 1 so im alright for a bit yet  :y

got the nut off at last but had to use brute force ( hammer & chisel ) to split the nut. :D.
just need to dress the bit of thread that got damaged.

Well done mate - just the box to drop off now then  ;)

bring it on  ;)