OK. Today I decided tofit the propshaft U/Js I bought recently. Had another look at the exhaust to see which was the best way to get the propshaft out and decided to go with removing the nearside silencer. First off I went to take off the front n/s downpipe. Oh look! Whoever fitted the s/s exhaust only put 2 nuts on where it joins the manifold. OK, one less to take off. Just as well because despite copious WD40 and running the engine to get heat there I still manage to shear off the other two studs. B******s!!!
Change of priorities then. Forget the propshaft for now, lets get the manifold sorted. Manage to get a drill onto one broken stud and drill it out. Re-tapped to 5/16 UNF but still very sloppy. Re-drilled and helicoiled that one. The other not so simple. Couldn't get access to drill it straight because of the anti-roll bar and oil cooler. Went up to my local tool shop and he had some Trend Mini-Chucks. These are small chucks c/w replaceable drill bits and they have hexagonal drive, so I was able to use it in my drill will a long hex-drive which got past the obstructions. Excellent tools.
Propshaft U/Js now fitted and just having a breather before refitting it all. At least I confirmed that the front one was knackered. It looked like the one in the photo posted recently. Happy days.
Dave
Change of priorities then. Forget the propshaft for now, lets get the manifold sorted. Manage to get a drill onto one broken stud and drill it out. Re-tapped to 5/16 UNF but still very sloppy. Re-drilled and helicoiled that one. The other not so simple. Couldn't get access to drill it straight because of the anti-roll bar and oil cooler. Went up to my local tool shop and he had some Trend Mini-Chucks. These are small chucks c/w replaceable drill bits and they have hexagonal drive, so I was able to use it in my drill will a long hex-drive which got past the obstructions. Excellent tools.
Propshaft U/Js now fitted and just having a breather before refitting it all. At least I confirmed that the front one was knackered. It looked like the one in the photo posted recently. Happy days.
Dave
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