Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Broke off Y pipe bolt/1 side - Help with mod 2fix

I just got done putting in my new power steering rack, and during the removal broke off the ONE side of where the Y pipe meets the catalytic, the cast iron. It broke the bulk of the bolt of, only about half an inch of the end skinny part remains, its useless.

So the broken end, which once was a full cirlce with full both going through it, is not a semi-circle. I really don't want to buy a new Y pipe.

I was thinking of getting some sort of U clamp to go over the intersection where they are joined and then tightening, but I know that they swivel somewhat and that might break, same with welding.

Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Basically imagine what it should look like with one side being a semi-circle instead of whole, thats what I got.

Thanks.

what type of y-pipe cat do you have? is it 2 or three bolt, did the bolt break or did the y-pipe itself

pictures please

if it is just the bolt for the 2 bolt y-pipe go to your local parts store and get the "Help" cat bolt kit for a crysler, the bolts are the same diameter but longer and the spring is longer and tappered, has nuts with the flanges on em. use a washer to bottem the bolt out on and the spare nuts that come with the set to lock it on there and you will be all set

also concider getting a new seal if you have a 2 bolt y-pipe as it doesn't seal as well the second time around

I have a 2 bolt Y pipe. The Y pip didn't break. The end of it where I connects to the cat, basically 1 side of the cast iron broke off. So now only 1 side has a bolt, the other has a semicircle where the bolt WAS.

I got a new seal, the problem is obviously one side doesn't have a place to put a bolt. Which is why I was going to connect the cat and then try some sort of U shaped clamp to then bolt on, I was just concerned it wouldn't "give" enough for bumps and such.

Imagine a 2 bolt connector, but with one side half broken off(semi-circle), thats what I have.

drill or pound it out. Then buy new bolts.

try using a screw extracter. home depot has them in the hardware dept in the tool corral. just ask the associate for that and how to use it.

I can buy new bolts, but only one side will has a hole to put a new one into. Like I said, one side of the Y pipe connecting end is half broke off, and as far as I know, its impossible to drill through cast iron. I'll take a picture today that will clear it up.

Wow, so basically half of the spring bolt side bracket is missing? I hope you know someone with a welder. Should be able to fab up a new bracket to put the bolt through, then to find some springs for it...

Yes, half is gone. I have the springs still, but ya its messed up. I was thinking of u brackets, 2 sets, to basically clamp it in there if you can imagine that. I think that will work.

More help/suggestions appreciated.

you can drill out cast iron. I did it for dowel holes in my heads for my Trans Am. Just time consuming and bit consuming. You could use those clamps to make it to your local exhaust shop and I'm sure they can cut/weld/etc whatever you need done. And It shouldn't cost that much as it's just a slight modification. If your near SE Wisconsin, feel free to use my welder if you need it.

You can find the picture here:

http://lynnode.ath.cx/~thread/contour.jpg

As you can see, one side is gone.