Hi there,
The patient is an '87 2.8 GT.

I'm in the process of preparing the car to pass inspection. Pittsburgh had a rough winter and my exhaust tips rusted away and eventually fell off after driving through many potholes.

I had the car off the ground to change a caliper (finally got the e-brake working), and decided to stretch the exhaust pipe to fit on the new exhaust tips.
The exhaust is the Fiero Store's ocelot exhaust with 2" outlets.
The tips are the polished stainless steel megaphone-style tips, which were bought from the Fiero Store, but seem to be replaced by a different item. They are also 2".

I bought one of these things to stretch the exhaust end (the walls were thinner, so I thought it would be easier).


Just as things were getting good, something happened, and I can't operate the device in either direction. The big problem is, I can't figure out a smart way for getting it out. This thing was well-greased before it went in, but I'm sure a lot of people have said the same thing...

Really! This is about my car's exhaust! Here's the picture to prove it...


Don't worry about the clamp - I had it off when I was expanding, but it was night and I had to put things back together in preparation to move the car... I was able to drive it a short distance to move it to a more permanent parking spot, but the thing stumbles a lot.


Does anyone have a suggestion for an easy way to get this thing out? I have hand tools, but no power tools.
Thanks ahead of time,
Snacktime!

Only way I can think of, is to jentley rock it, back and forth untill it comes out.By the way they do sell exhaust expander and reducer fittings (no need to do it that way), at most autoparts stores (I think I saw them at Autozone).Now that I think about it, rocking it isnt going to work.Can your turn the center nut at all?I would use a breaker bar (no rachet) to back the pressure off that thing (should be counter clock wise).

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 09-06-2010).]

Hi there,

Yep, I tried rocking it (both gently and violently), but it's really wedged in there.

I can turn the shaft in both directions, but either the nut on the opposite end is bound or the wedge is somehow broken.

Heat the outside pipe?

Loosen it and give the shaft a hit inward with a hammer to disloge the wedges.

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 09-06-2010).]

1. Hit the tip of the expander up and down and side to side.
2. Put something in the hole that's in the expander and pull.

Cut the pipe off, remove the expander, weld the pipe back on.

You should be able to loosen the expander screw and tap on the shaft to get it out. Next time don't put the expander so far into the pipe.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Only other Idea is to run a thick piece of wire (not copper,thats soft) or cable,through that hole and use something like a comealong to pull that sucker out.Possibley a heavy weight tied to a cable and yank that sucker free.Unless you know someone with a winch and can attach a cable through that hole to the winch...

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 09-06-2010).]

Slide hammer

quote Originally posted by James Bond 007: Only other Idea is to run a thick piece of wire (not copper,thats soft) or cable,through that hole and use something like a comealong to pull that sucker out.Possibley a heavy weight tied to a cable and yank that sucker free.Unless you know someone with a winch and can attach a cable through that hole to the winch...

$10 that'll just bend the exhaust pipe at the elbow.. You'd need to support the pipe so all the force isn't trying to destroy it.

I just about destroyed one of those things trying to expand a pipe once. Barely made a dent in the pipe - I had to take it to a place with a hydraulic expander (off the car of course, unfortunately for your case...). I tried to return the piece of junk to Autozone but they wouldn't take it. If it won't turn in either direction it's going to be a pain in the nuts to get out without an impact gun..

Good luck!!!

Was that made in china?
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I agree with the heat suggestion. I think the outside pieces are zinc die castings which should soften and possibly melt at low tempertures.The melting point of pure zinc is about 800F.

6-sided socket of the correct size, and big-ass cheater bar.

did it come out?

I bought one of those tool and my buddy who is s mechanic told me it works better if you don't stick it in all the way and torch the tail pipe prior to stretching it out.

Save yourself the headache and cut it off with that portion of the pipe.

Dave

This tool is intended for rounding out deformed pipe, not stretch it up a size. Did you get it out?

------------------
My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

Start motor and rev the hell outta it, close to redline for a few minutes. Make sure video camera is on and ready to upload to youtube.

the "nut" in the back is "spinning". you need to put a Big "Air Impact wrench" on it & hit "loosen".. I know, you don't have one. bring the car to someone who does.

Yes try the heat thing, If that dont work, remove that clamp, with air tool or drill and small cut-off wheel, cut maybe 3 lines lenghtwise in the pipe to releave the prusser and try all of the above again. Not the reving the engine!

Hi all,

Thanks for your helpful insight.

Yes, I did get the expander out. My approach was to tie a string through the hex shaft, and connect both ends of the string to either end of a wooden board. I then put my feet on the exhaust, leaned my back into the sling, and simultaneously hammered the shaft. It took about 2 hours and looked ridiculous, but I got it out.

The nut had split in half. Yes, this was made in China (@ Tha Driver). But the solution was made in the USA!

Snacktime

quote Originally posted by Snacktime: The nut had split in half. Yes, this was made in China (@ Tha Driver). But the solution was made in the USA! Snacktime

Here's the thing:
!) You sent you money to a communist dictatorship with the world's worst human rights record, & who are using your money to build a war machine bent on world domination.
2) By doing the above, you've cost someone in this country their job. FACTS: We've lost THIRTY-THREE PERCENT of our manufacturing in this country; Unemployment is at nearly TEN PERCENT nationwide, & far above that in some areas.
3) You THEN spent countless wasted hours - after the POS failed - correcting the "mistake" you made (& also several people here spent their time helping you). That is time taken away from either our (U.S.) production or your leisure. Either way it's time the communists have taken from us.
$) Not only that, but you've had to deal with a very FRUSTRATING episode, which can not help with your peace of mind or attitude. Trust me I know this shtuff firsthand.
You see what they're doing? They're breaking down this country in several ways just by selling JUNK cheap.
It's far past time for everyone to WAKE UP & buy MADE IN USA. If you can't find U.S. made shtuff (& you REALLY need something), then buy foreign made but NOT MADE IN CHINA!!!
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

[This message has been edited by Tha Driver (edited 09-30-2010).]

Well if they build that "war machine" with nuts that split in half, the way I see it we don't have anything to worry about.

"Well if they build that "war machine" with nuts that split in half, the way I see it we don't have anything to worry about."

ahahah that was priceless man, good show!

quote Originally posted by phonedawgz: Well if they build that "war machine" with nuts that split in half, the way I see it we don't have anything to worry about.

No, they send us the bolts that are crap & keep the good ones for themselves. You can bet they're not making tanks, planes, ships, & missiles with the same shtuff they send us!!!
You do realize the airplane industry HAD to quit using their hardware years ago...