Female mechanic here. Glad to see that your daughter joined you in the garage. On the install side, I was able to get the first flange bolt started by hand, stopping at one full rotation of the bolt before attempting the second. I wasn't able to compress the spring enough to get the second flange bolt started no matter how I aligned the pipe ends (not much wiggle room actually) or adjusted the first bolt or no matter how much I growled. Of course, I'm working on a creeper with limited space beneath the vehicle creating limitations on how much leverage I can muster before the creeper starts moving. So here is what I did.. I installed the closed end of a ratchet wrench over the 12mm bolt head and between the jaws of a "C" clamp snugged up just enough to compress the spring and bring the threads on the bolt through the one side of the flange and the adjoining nut on the other side. I had to be careful not to apply more than about 1lb of additional pressure on the bolt using the "C" clamp so as not to get things cross threaded (the force of the spring compression + a slight snug to push the bolt thread against the back of the nut). Even so, it was a risk and one that paid off for me. I went very slow for the first quarter turn to make sure that I couldn't detect any unusual resistance that might suggest a crossed thread. When it comes to nuts and bolts, "might makes right" doesn't play out so well. Anyway, the threads joined perfectly, job now complete and the old Civic is road-worthy once again. I checked and this job would have cost about $600-$700 if taken to a shop. My costs were under $200 including some gas to chase down the parts and lunch at Burger King. Thanks for the helpful video! :)

thank you!!!! i just got quoted $780 to do this on my civic. You made it look easy enough so with all the parts itll cost me $130 !! going to give it a try, thank you Dirty D!

My 08 has come apart here also. Got the spring nuts off. Spring nuts quoted at $12.37 each. Gasket $21.00 exhaust $330.00 Canadian. I used a 50/50 mix of transmission fluid, and acetone, and applied it to the nuts, prior to removing. This mixture works great. Got this formula off another utube video. Thanks for this video for showing me what I was up against.

What a great detailed step-by-step on this repair. You also speak with a very clear voice. Thank you for sharing !

Thanks for the doughnut info. That's what I was looking for. I wasn't sure which side went forward. You answered it and yours was the first video I watched.

Folks, I can't stress enough that you need to put some good penetrating oil on those exhaust bolts and let them sit for a while. This might help you avoid snapping them off. Start by making small turns with the ratchet in both directions to loosen them a bit before trying to wrench them out. Just a nudge back and forth enough to get the threads moving.

Thanks! Great video. I'm going to tackle it tomorrow. My biggest concern is getting those bolts out!

exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

Great video! Heat, Oil, patience....repeat for those stubborn bolts.

Very helpful! Liked and subscribed

i cant get the spring bolts removed for some reason. i have the 8th gen civic

Thanks alot

great video thanks

Thanks man

Anyone know the torque specs for those spring bolts? I saw 16lb if torque seems low to me though.

I got quoted today for replacing my muffler on my 2011 Civic. Unfortunately I have to bring it back in a few days cause they didn't have it in stock. They said it could take 2 hours and it took you 10 minutes start to finish.

i have a question, do the bolts need nuts ? because i have same car and i bought new bolts and springs and the donut, but while i was removing the old ones they brock, sad story but i noticed 16mm nuts from the other side, do they need nuts ? looking to how you screwed them i didnt see you using any bolt nuts... im confused

Excellent video, thank you! I've got it removed now, and like another user, I snapped the spring bolts in half. The other half is still stuck in the welded nut. Any advice? Also, I don't have a lift. I managed to remove the muffler with the car on the ground, but i doubt I'll be able to get the new one on without lifting it up. Do you think those ramps will suffice?

Will a muffler from a coupe fits on a sedan? Thank!

Next teach her how to weld

Where daughter at now

its too damn tight, the spring bolts