Been having the ol' "sputter" sound when I start up my '08 Expedition for a little while now.
Finally got around to poking around to see where the exhaust leak might be coming from. Took a look under the hood, then through the wheel well, and saw this.

Think I'm missing something? Is this as easy as just putting in a new stud and nut, tightening to spec (I have a svc manual)?

 

half of the stud is probably still in there unfortunately.

 

Yea, thought of that, too... I hope it just fell out, but that seems much less likely than it being broken off.
Which probably means I'd have to get that whole manifold off so the busted stud can be removed, right? Ugh.

 

yep. the studs breaking off is the most common issue around the manifold problems that plague the modular motors. i currently have 1 missing on the driver side and 3 on the passenger side. still trying to figure out my course of action on what to replace with. good luck!