On a 2006 F250 XL V8 5.4L Super Duty I am replacing the catalytic converter with a direct bolt on replacement product through Walker. The bolts that connect in front of the catalytic converter on the engine side I found out are recommended to be only used once and I purchased a set of replacement hardware. However how do you get the existing bolts off the mount to the exhaust manifold? It is tapered and rounded at the tip and I can't find a socket that works on it. Any suggestions?

In reply to JWC 3 comment

Well three out of the four total went back on correctly. The fourth was a problem and it stripped pretty bad. When I was able to remove the nut that was forcibly threaded on there I tried to see if I could manage a new nut on there and it got past the tip and just spins freely and isn't backing off. By blue wrench are you referring to channel locks? And do stud pullers work on tips that are flat on two sides and round on the other two? That is what the tip of the bolt looks like.

 

I reuse the bolts often . I pull the exaust while pulling transmissons . I never replace if not broke . If the nuts came off , put them back , just don't over torque ! You may remove them with a stud puller , if they will come out , that is ! Blue Wrench may be needed !