New bolts too. The nuts should be available in brass, copper-coated or
similar rust-resistant alloy. Paint the threads liberally with Permatex
Anti-Seize Lubricant or a similar product before reassembly. Get new rubber
hangers. The pros heat the old nuts with a welding torch, or just burn them
right off. A propane plumbing torch works OK, if you are patient and don't
set yourself on fire. Heat the nuts, spray on Liquid Wrench, wait a while.

(Liquid Wrench, brand name, is a good product. There are many imitations,
some not as good. PB Blaster is also good. WD40 is better for keeping
water out of things, than as a penetrating oil.)

Earle

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:JKRDg.4667$Qf.996@newsread2.news.pas.earthlin k.net...
> Use the penetrating oil "PB Blaster," spraying it as best
> you can onto the nuts threads. Capillary action will
> actually draw the PB Blaster into the thread region and
> break free some of the rust. Wait half an hour or so.
> Re-apply. Put a wrench on the nut and another wrench on the
> bolt. Turn the wrench on the nut.
>
> Exhaust system nuts and bolts tend to freeze more than
> others on a car, due to the heat cycling and seeing moisture
> underneath the car from the road.
>
> Once you free those two bolts/nuts, you're right the rest
> should come off pretty easily.
>
> The car will sound funny but will be drivable. A muffler
> shop should have a suitable replacement. Get a new gasket
> for the flange you separated above.
>
> Way to go, doing this yourself. It is indeed a great
> feeling.
>
> <tinybirds@yahoo.com> wrote
> > Hey Guys,
> > Here's the deal, am a girl and like to do minor repairs on
> > my car.
> > (such a high to get a problemed fixed myself), well, just
> > noticed my
> > muffler on my 88 CRX si has rusted out a rather large
> > hole. So by
> > taking a look underneathe, it appeared that 2 bolts needed
> > to be
> > removed and the muffler and the small pipe leading to the
> > front of the
> > car would just come off.
> > Well I have been trying for a long time to get those 2
> > bolts off.
> > Wasted a lot of liquid wrench on them to no avail.....when
> > I noticed
> > the bolts do not have threads on them.
> >
> > They have springs on the front of them and no threads on
> > the back and
> > are held on by 12 mm nuts. It's located right behind
> > passenger side
> > rear wheel, 2 pipes adjoin with an oval type
> > gasket/connector thingy ma
> > jig. What is this about? I am kind of annoyed at this
> > point. It
> > seemed like a simple 1,2, 3 job, but no.
> >
> > Anyway, can you seasoned Honda guys give some advice? Is
> > it possible
> > to get the muffler off easily or should I just take it to
> > the shop.
> > Man I hate doing that. I really like fixing it myself.
> > Anyway, thanks so much.
> > Oh my car is 1988 Honda CRX Si all stock. 5 spd, 139k
> > miles, 1.6
> > engine, red, black interior, sunroof, a small shopping car
> > dent in the
> > right fender.......
> >
> > Smiles,
> > Annette
> >
>
>