1969 Dodge Dart GTS: How to remove rear exhaust hanger to replace

[Lord Sparky]

What kind of tool can I get through the frame holes to grip the 1/2” bolt (the rubber exhaust hanger right before the exhaust tip hanger) to keep it from spinning to get the nut off? There is an access hole in the trunk but it is not directly over the bolt.

 

[niceolddart]

That's not factory, just in case you did not know but, if it were me, I'd cut the nut off with a cutoff wheel, grinder or air saw. It's not any special bolt that needs to be saved. After I cut the nut off, I'd remove the bolt head with a magnet or needle nose pliers thru the frame hole, unless you have an extra 1/2" combination wrench laying around that you could heat & bent to go into the hole to hold the bolt.

 

[Professor Fate]

Maybe a 1/2" distributor wrench?

 

[Dana67Dart]

Most likely you can slide a wrench into the hole then back the other way in the frame rail till the wrench is on the bolt

 

[Lord Sparky]

That's not factory, just in case you did not know but, if it were me, I'd cut the nut off with a cutoff wheel, grinder or air saw. It's not any special bolt that needs to be saved. After I cut the nut off, I'd remove the bolt head with a magnet or needle nose pliers thru the frame hole, unless you have an extra 1/2" combination wrench laying around that you could heat & bent to go into the hole to hold the bolt.

Used a jig saw to cut it off. Where and how was the original hanger mounted?

 

[Lord Sparky]

Most likely you can slide a wrench into the hole then back the other way in the frame rail till the wrench is on the bolt

Yeah, I lay in bed thinking about that but alas the hole was too small.

 

[Lord Sparky]

Maybe a 1/2" distributor wrench?
View attachment 1716371740

Good idea!

 

[Lord Sparky]

What kind of tool can I get through the frame holes to grip the 1/2” bolt (the rubber exhaust hanger right before the exhaust tip hanger) to keep it from spinning to get the nut off? There is an access hole in the trunk but it is not directly over the bolt.

View attachment 1716371726

View attachment 1716371727

All done! Used a jig saw to cut off the bolt. A little tricky getting the new bolt in with my fat fingers but I persevered.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

 

[niceolddart]

Used a jig saw to cut it off. Where and how was the original hanger mounted?

I'm pretty sure the tail pipe hanger brackets bolted on to the inner part of the rear frame rails. The factory used special brackets to hang the tail pipes but, from the pictures you posted last, it looks like you did a good enough job hanging yours. My buddy has a 69 GTS we are building. I'll see if I can get some pics for you if you'd like.

 

[Lord Sparky]

I'm pretty sure the tail pipe hanger brackets bolted on to the inner part of the rear frame rails. The factory used special brackets to hang the tail pipes but, from the pictures you posted last, it looks like you did a good enough job hanging yours. My buddy has a 69 GTS we are building. I'll see if I can get some pics for you if you'd like.

Yes, please!

 

[CRUZE 418]

Mega Parts has the brackets, they are $50. They are for the chrome factory exhaust tips.