If you do take it out, take off the two crossmembers and it comes out like a dream

 

My flange was pretty rusted out, so I went this route. Flange repair kit.



The studs on the original are press fit, and even with heat...they can be a bugger to beat out. Mainly because of the position you are in and having to hold on to the flange and beat it at the same time. Yes, it's possible to do...but a pain. I was actually able to get the three studs out of the flange over the rear axle pretty easily, but it was out in the open more.

Brian.

 

Thanks Deputy... that might be a better idea!

 

Deputy, do you have a link to the kit you bought?

And there isn't a gasket for this connection, correct?

 

Not from the y pipe to muffler. There is one where the 3 bolt flange is from the muffler to silencer

 

Walker Flange Repair Kit 31953: Advance Auto Parts

No gasket, but as mentioned, the rear/three hole flange has a gasket.

Brian.

 

Cool thanks.

Propane torch didn't work for me. Did a lot of drilling and dremeling and finally got them out. New bolts I picked up are a little loose in there as the old bolts had a collar around it. I don't think it'll matter. Onwards

 

Do the flanges need to sit flush with each other? No matter how much tightening I do, there's a 2-3mm gap