Removing from exhaust mount bracket w/o disturbing engine?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: NoVa
I have a J&S jack, I removed the bracket after I installed my Thunderheader. Not much room to work in there as you already know, but there is enough. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have removed the bracket before installing the exhaust. Would have made the process a little easier. I used one of those small $12.00 Harbor freight special angle grinders with a thin cut off wheel. Throws a ton of sparks, eye pro for sure!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
I'm tired of looking at the front bracket poking out from under the crankcase. It's really tight under there. Anybody know if the bolts can be removed without disturbing the engine mounting? I don't want to open that can of worms just yet. It will likely force me to do a ton of "while I'm in there" work like engine mounts and oil cooler lines and such. I'd also rather not start cutting under there.
What are my options?
What are my options?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
It depends on your exhaust system but the front header support/bracket eliminates stress on the rear header. If the support is removed keep a eye on the header nuts so you can keep em tight. If the rear comes lose you can end up with a broke header.
I was using bassani B1 and the rear came lose slightly, I had removed the front support. By the time I got 20 miles my header was broke into.
If you keep the header nuts tight there should not be a problem. Just a heads up, nothing more. Some exhaust systems do not use it. The mounting bracket connects father back on the trans cover.
I was using bassani B1 and the rear came lose slightly, I had removed the front support. By the time I got 20 miles my header was broke into.
If you keep the header nuts tight there should not be a problem. Just a heads up, nothing more. Some exhaust systems do not use it. The mounting bracket connects father back on the trans cover.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
Keep in mind (if not too late), that if you grind it off there's no going back. I ended up leaving mine on, I could barely notice it. Then I decided to get a new exhaust which ended up using the front bracket that I almost ground.
You just never know what changes you may make down the line, removal by grinder seems awfully permanent!
You just never know what changes you may make down the line, removal by grinder seems awfully permanent!
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
I'm only grinding the heads off the bolts. The bracket will still be intact (in the spare parts bin). If I ever want to reinstall, It will take some work, but I really don't see going back to a stock style exhaust.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
On my 03 FXD, I used a dremmel cut off wheel to cut a Torx "T-27" bit really short so it fit between bracket and frame. then I use a 1/4 inch open end wrench on the cut off bit to turn the bolt out. Only took a couple minutes.
Last edited by rh8234; Oct 18, 2015 at 10:40 AM.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Lol. I just got back from harbor freight with some throw away torx bits for that very reason!
Gonna be out with my kids for a couple hours but I hope to get that bracket out tonight.
Gonna be out with my kids for a couple hours but I hope to get that bracket out tonight.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 897
Likes: 10
From: Oregon
this is how I did it as well.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
Good luck! yeah if you get the bolts out that's all that really matters. My exhaust is not stock but it used the stock bracket for the install which I thought was interesting. Apparently some others do as well.