replacing downpipe studs...?
 

is this somethin i could do on a saturday and have the car running by the afternoon, the exhaust leak has finally pissed me off enough for me to the damn thing apart and replace it, by the way anyone know how much they cost and if they have to be ordered or if mazda stocks them

well if your mechanicly inclined yea, it should be a quick turn arround..., are the studs broken, just loose..not there??? if their just loost its just a mater of tightning them, if you have to replace them mazda should have them in stock, but their pretty expensive somehting like 10 bux a stud and 8 bux a nut...

do they carry the studs anywhere else? it is just stripped, and i think i can twist it out....

i forget the thread size but if you can find some grade 8 stainless you can just replace them...take the nut to pep boys, or in my case the loncal hardware store(carries more nuts an bolts that anywhere i know)

If the studs are only mildly stripped, you may be able to salvage them by using a tap and die set to straighten out the threads.

best way i have found to remove the studs are to soak overnight with some penetrating lubricant(WD-40, liquid wrench, etc...), then place two nuts onto the stud and tighten them against each other, then you can use a box-end wrench to turn the inner bolt and backing the stud out. if it doesn't budge, invest in a propane torch.

If they've never been moved or its been a long time since you last removed them, then it will probably take you some time. This is the worst place to rush, cause those bolts will sieze, strip, snap faster than you can say "SHIT!" What I did was remove the studs entirely and install bolts instead. This way I can easily remove my dp(without the studs in the way), and I'm positive that I'll be able to remove all four of them every single time. I find them alot easier to work with especially if you have to remove the dp often. I don't think you'll be able to do this as quickly as you think though. Good luck!

Whatever you do, use some type of neverseize compound on the threads when reassembling. Copper type or zinc type. Makes the bolts come back off like it was buttered. A definite MUST for any exhaust work.

Tim

Tim is 100% correct! I "always" use a copper based anti-sieze compound on "all" the exhaust bolts, and I haven't stripped a bolt yet. They back out very easily, but don't think they'll wiggle loose cause they won't. Very good advice right there! Kudos to Tim!

I gotta replace my studs too.
 

Does Anyone know what size/length to buy? I know Stainless and grade 8. Also places that sell them in your area.
Thanks