Today I installed my Gibson cat-back exhaust system with some help from my son. I had read a post in the ext mods forum detailing how easy it was and figured it would take me 2-3 hours to complete (the post said about 2 but I'm not mechanically gifted). I've only had my Titan a month do I figured things wouldn't be too crusty underneath yet. I read through the directions and attacked my stock exhust with my trusty crescent wrench. Of course it slipped. I then grabbed my pipe wrench and got the first nut started fairly easily with very little damage to the nut. I;ve used this tactic a hundred times on my plumbing. However, when my crescent wrench failed on the second nut, I couldn't get the pipe wrench in position to use it on that nut. I tried a vice grip pliers, which stripped the nut. My son, still working on breakfast, said "Duh, Dad! The fist thing my 'transportation' teacher told us was never use the wrong wrench on a nut." By this time his advice was too late. I spent almost 6 hours with various tools by the time I finally got the nut off the stock exhaust by cutting one side away and driving it off with hammer and chisel.

So, basically, if you are like me and you have virtually no auto tech training, please take a tip from me...

Use the right tool thr first time and avoid turning a simple, fun, 2 hour project into a 7 hour ordeal.

I bought a $15 set of ratching box wrenches and a two deep sockets for my socket set (9/16" for the stock nuts and 15mm for the replacement nut) and the rest of the project was a breese!

BTW, My new Gibson dual sport exhaust, K&N air filter, and modified air box (all ideas from clubtitan) really boost the torque on the rear wheels. I don't have a dyno available, but man, what a ride! :D :D :D

Glad to here you finally got it installed. Yes I learned this early on. Never use a crescent wrench if there is any torque on the nut or bolt it will only lead to aggravation.

Speaking of the right tool for the right job....I have a story to tell about the difference in inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches...nope, I'm not gonna share.

Glad you got it all done finally and are happy with it. Sounds like you will be having fun driving for a while.
M4ck

Today I installed my Gibson cat-back exhaust system with some help from my son. I had read a post in the ext mods forum detailing how easy it was and figured it would take me 2-3 hours to complete (the post said about 2 but I'm not mechanically gifted). I've only had my Titan a month do I figured things wouldn't be too crusty underneath yet. I read through the directions and attacked my stock exhust with my trusty crescent wrench. Of course it slipped. I then grabbed my pipe wrench and got the first nut started fairly easily with very little damage to the nut. I;ve used this tactic a hundred times on my plumbing. However, when my crescent wrench failed on the second nut, I couldn't get the pipe wrench in position to use it on that nut. I tried a vice grip pliers, which stripped the nut. My son, still working on breakfast, said "Duh, Dad! The fist thing my 'transportation' teacher told us was never use the wrong wrench on a nut." By this time his advice was too late. I spent almost 6 hours with various tools by the time I finally got the nut off the stock exhaust by cutting one side away and driving it off with hammer and chisel.

So, basically, if you are like me and you have virtually no auto tech training, please take a tip from me...

Use the right tool thr first time and avoid turning a simple, fun, 2 hour project into a 7 hour ordeal.

I bought a $15 set of ratching box wrenches and a two deep sockets for my socket set (9/16" for the stock nuts and 15mm for the replacement nut) and the rest of the project was a breese!

BTW, My new Gibson dual sport exhaust, K&N air filter, and modified air box (all ideas from clubtitan) really boost the torque on the rear wheels. I don't have a dyno available, but man, what a ride! :D :D :D

Hmmm, that sounds like my post you read. :) Sorry if I misslead you. There is defenitly something to be said for the right tool for the job. :D

Maybe that is why JetTech is having all the problems with his headers! Hey JT are trying to use crescent and pipe wrenches on that thing! :twisted:

Speaking of the right tool for the right job....I have a story to tell about the difference in inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches...nope, I'm not gonna share.

Sure, I bare my soul and you leave me swingin in the breeze!

Hello, my name is Rod and I'm a mechanic wannabee...

No, Qwikwhip, nobody mislead me...

I waded into the quicksand whistling Dixie and wearing ankle weights!

[quote=LDOTITAN]Speaking of the right tool for the right job....I have a story to tell about the difference in inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches...nope, I'm not gonna share.

Sure, I bare my soul and you leave me swingin in the breeze!

Let's just say that when you do a valve job, the head gaskets seat much better when torqued to the right specs. Took about 5 miles before she overheated and puked antifreeze. Good result is I ended up getting the heads milled and the block resurfaced, and a life lesson.

[quote=LDOTITAN]Speaking of the right tool for the right job....I have a story to tell about the difference in inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches...nope, I'm not gonna share.

Sure, I bare my soul and you leave me swingin in the breeze!

Let's just say that when you do a valve job, the head gaskets seat much better when torqued to the right specs. Took about 5 miles before she overheated and puked antifreeze. Good result is I ended up getting the heads milled and the block resurfaced, and a life lesson.

Now doesn't that feel good to get it off your chest...

I know I feel better!

[quote=LDOTITAN]Speaking of the right tool for the right job....I have a story to tell about the difference in inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches...nope, I'm not gonna share.

Sure, I bare my soul and you leave me swingin in the breeze!

Let's just say that when you do a valve job, the head gaskets seat much better when torqued to the right specs. Took about 5 miles before she overheated and puked antifreeze. Good result is I ended up getting the heads milled and the block resurfaced, and a life lesson.
Haha, that's funny I had a similiar situation. When I rebuilt my SR20DET I used the Nissan service manual and torqued the head down per the specs. After about 200 miles it basically blew the head gasket. I went back to the book and after looking it over and everything was correct I then turned the page and at the very top of the next page it said "now tighten all head bolts 1/4 turn" Man did I feel pissed off and stupid all at the same time. :)