Was doing a oil pan gasket today and I was going to pull the down pipe to give myself a little more room. As I started to pull the top nut off the down pipe it broke free and was coming off then stopped. I worked the nut back and forth and then the stud started to come out then stopped. I started the car and let it get warm to hopefully free up the stud. That seemed to work as the stud started moving then it broke. So now I have to hopefully get the other two nuts off so I can hopefully weld on a nut to the broken stud as long as there is enough sticking out. I wasn’t concerned as I’ve had the down pipe off a few times over the years.I guess today wasn’t supposed to be smooth sailing ha.

 

Yeah I recently just did a bunch of work to my Mini and had the downpipe removed. Apparently you're supposed to change those every time you take it off. I ended up putting ARP Stainless bolts in there instead.

 

Have a part number handy?

 

761-1002

 

I am heating those up trying to get nuts loose!

04 Stud bolt M8 10

11627583110 $1.07

05 Hex nut with plate M8 10

11627588104 $3.75

 

Yes i heated mine up and used some PB blaster overnight. Clamped what was left with vice grips and worked it slow back and forth. While heating the outer pipe work it back and forth very slow.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/11627583110/

 

Got everything loose but to remove pipe need to disconnect this connector, as it connects to the lower pipe sensor.
any suggestions I have been pulling pushing no release?

 

I think that red piece is a lock that needs to come out to release the connector

 

Yes that was it thank you, knowing the key helps

 

oReillys has a set of copper M8x1.25 exhaust studs that I've been using. Works wonders! The bloody steel ones froze up seemingly the first drive. Instead of using the copper nuts that came with the kit, I went with original MINI exhaust manifold nuts that are used to attach the exhaust manifold to the head. 11MM and have a free spinning pressure head.

 

my ARP downpipe bolts