So I am in the midst of replacing my muffler hanger assembly as it has completely rusted off. The part I ordered has the new rubber pieces as well.

I have searched high and low and found many articles about removing the hanger from the rubber but have not found anyone asking about replacing the actual rubber piece.

I removed what rust was left, and all that is remaining is the two red rubber pieces. Bolted in. When trying to remove the nut, it goes no where. I assume they are stripped. 5 turns one way loosens. 5 turns more and it tightens, and visa versa.

So my question is, has anyone had luck removing these things? The bolt seems to come from somewhere under the boot (that I can't access) and I just want to get the new piece on. Advice anyone?

 

Well I am not sure which nuts you are referring to. If you have an R53 then the rubber hangers are just pressed onto the mounting points. Now if you are talking about mounting the hanger to the bracket that is bolted up to the car (#18), you shouldn't really need to take it off. If your replacing the hanger, I would just cut the old one (#13) off (taking of off can be a pain) then press the new on back on.

I am assuming your talking about #12,13,and 18. If your talking about #14 (which I didn't see a description on RealOEM anyway) I have nothing for you.
I took off the old top bracket (mine was in 2 pieces) and slid in the new one. Then pressed that onto the hanger which was attached to #18, then bolted the new bottom part (Mine was missing, this is usually the piece that gets replaced anyway) to my top one. Just my 2 cents.

 

Well stated, I was thinking the same thing.

My right ball rattles a little, and in climbing underneath to inspect one day, it appeared that I would have to remove the heat shield probably to gain access to pieces 14 and 17, and I think I would probably have to remove the muffler to do that. -Really in my case though it's the strap that wraps around the resonator has stretched a little. -not a priority, but my solution will be to take it to a muffler shop and have them cut it out, and re-plumb it like the One-Ball Mod.

@OP, not sure exactly of your plan, but if you have not heard of it, look up One Ball Mod. In my case it's a cheap easy solution which many have had success with, gaining just a little more sound, and possibly 1 or 2 horsepower as a happy side effect.

 

Hey guys,

Thanks for getting back in touch. It is number 14. It's the rubber piece which is broken now. Needs to be replaced. The bolts that hold that thing on are stripped. Looks like I'm going to need to just get it off however possible. Bolts and old rubber piece. Then I will just drill the new ones in. I have been doing this all with the entire exhaust still on, just hanging low so I can get in there. The small space doesn't make this painful little rubber piece an easy task.

 

I just changed mine last week, #14, just take off the battery shield to gain access and use an extension, in your case you may need a hex nut extractor because the bolt in place on the body. Once you get them out just spray a bit of W40 and it will come out, same thing with the new one. Good luck

 

minibx, thanks! I searched high and low and haven't been able to find much on removing that.

I have to get back under there this weekend, but it didn't look like removing the battery heat shield was much of an option. It didn't look mounted anywhere that I could access.

Did you have trouble getting it off?

 

Removing the shield will make it easier to do the job, it's very simple, just 4 nuts and the shield will come off I think that they are 13 mm but can't remember.
It's super easy
Once you get under the car again you'll see the 4 nuts, the whole thing will take you 30 minutes or less. Let us know how it goes, good luck