i managed to remove the pre-cat with ease except for the 1 broken stud, can i replace that one broken stud with a high grade bolt from a hardware store, i would hate to have this hold me up from finishing up

 

Get the stud out using PB blaster or some other equivilent of penetrating fluid and vice grips. Then yes you can jsut use a highgrade bolt. Good luck!

Jeremy

 

Don't forget, use a high-heat resistant antiseize compound with instalation. This will help prevent if not eliminate any possibility that a nut or bolt will break when trying to remove them again.


I got my anti seize from www.mcmastercarr.com but most auto parts stores should have it.

 

Don't use hardware store parts unless they are class 8.8 or class 10.9. You're looking for an M10x1.5mm (x35-50mm long) cap screw. Not stainless, just high strength alloy steel.

If you get pinned looking for them locally, try www.boltdepot.com.

I bought a bunch of these recently and have a boatload of spares (the come by the 20pack) - I could mail a handful of them to you for a few bucks if you want.

Dave

 

I also highly recommend bolt depot. I have bought hundreds of assorted fasteners from them and they are always on-time and have good customer service.

 

Got mine from local Kragen store. They are call Exhaust Manifold Stud M10x1.5.

BC

 

mazda dealership has them,thats who I got my studs from.....Not expensive,if your gonna do it ,do it right,lol.

 

$40 for studs and nuts IS expensive. But in many respects I believe it's necessary.

The trouble with non-Mazda fasteners is space - the 17mm heads tend to crowd against the pipe body and make tightening difficult. I've changed my mind on this a few times: socket head cap screws work wonderfully but are difficult to tighten due to wrench clearnace against the frame, and cap screws have larger heads that rub against the pipe. Mazda fasteners are the only ones that consistently fit, but they come at a price.

Dave

 

my dealership doesnt stock any 3gen parts, probably because they are a mazda and subaru combined dealership...i managed to find the stud and nut at my buddys shop, it work great and was the same thread