Another exhaust donut replacement post

[fastdave]

I know this has been discussed a lot but I finally got around to doing the donut replacement on my Vector GT. I used grizztracks' stickied procedure and all went well until I tried to get the hanger bolts out (this seems to mess up just about everybody). I tried heat and I even broke off an easyout on one of them. They don't want to come out. They're stripped of course. So what's my options? I read you can drill out the bolts and somehow re-tap the holes but that doesn't sound like a very good option. The other one I saw mentioned was to drill out the 8 hanger rivets. This seems like a better option to me. Can someone who's done this give me some pointers? Is it the rivets directly to the left and right of the hanger bolts? Can the stainless steel rivets be replaced with my cheapo pop-riveter? Where do you get the rivets? etc. Thanks.

 

[grizztracks]

The hanger bolts drill out fairly easily. Start with a good 3/16" bit and make sure you keep it centered and straight. I've done several of these and only once had to drill the hanger bolts out but it was no big deal. I replaced the cap screws with hex head bolts and anti-seized everything. You can drill the hanger rivets or remove the exhaust flex pipes to replace the donuts if that's what you prefer.

 

[fastdave]

Grizz - you just drilled out the bolts and the threads were still good? If so that's what I'll do.
If I go the other way, is it the 4 rivets directly to the left and right of the hanger bolts? Where can you get replacement ss rivets? Dealer?

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Quick FYI = Harbor Freight sells an air/hyd rivet gun for $36. Cheap yes but it works well for how often I use it.

You can get SS rivets at most big box stores and some hdwe stores. A Yami dealer will/might have exactly what you need.

 

[grizztracks]

I drill them out then run a tap through to clean up the threads. The rivets for the hanger are to the left and right of the bolts. You should use mutligrip rivets as replacements. I get them from OFT but a local dealer my have them in stock.

 

[dexter]

Quick FYI = Harbor Freight sells an air/hyd rivet gun for $36. Cheap yes but it works well for how often I use it.

You can get SS rivets at most big box stores and some hdwe stores. A Yami dealer will/might have exactly what you need.

I bought that air tool... it's mint. well worth it.