DIY: Stock exhaust tip removal using puller method

[psuwcc112]

There have been some discussion regards using puller tool to remove the stock tips. I just went through this past weekend, i had anticipate its not going to be a smooth DIY after reading about some have encountered. But it turn out to be much easier than expected if you have the correct tool and most importantly the correct leverage (wood piece). I actually spent more time removing the MP diffuser than the exhaust tips..

Unless you have pair of hulk hands, IMO this is much more civilize method to remove the stock tips without require much of elbow grease and hard hammer banging.


Here are what you need:

1. Three-Jaw puller, 6 inches or larger. I believe you could rent those in auto store, but i bought a set from HarborFreight since they are fairly cheap especially after 20% coupon. I ended up using 6 inches puller in the set. The length of the claw is on border line of holding onto the exhaust tip. I suspect a 8 inches puller will work out better.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...-set-8832.html

2. Wooden leverage. This is actually the key component of this process. You want to have the size of the wooden leverage that is small enough which can slide into the inner barrel of the exhaust but large enough to stop at the weld joint between the inner exhaust tip and the muffler can. I used 1.5x2.5x5 inches stud that i have laying around the house. And cut/grind out the 4 corners to make them fit into the exhaust.

3. Jack/Jack stand/Ramp. You can probably go without using those. But i just use them for better clearance and leverage.

4. Handy hands!

Step 1.

Jack up the car. I jacked the car and placed ramps under the rear tires. I was little afraid that my front lip would not clear the ground at first after putting them on the ramps (Traditional cheap ramps, they are not race ramp by any mean) and considering how low front lips are (3 inches). But it turn out to be ok, even though it was barely clearing. So for those of you worry about ramp up the rear of the car with low front lip, chances are you will be fine.







Step 2

Remove rear diffuser to provide the additional wiggle room for the puller. This actually took me much longer to do with MP diffuser, I think pull out the plastic diffuser was much easier. The CF center taps were a pain to un-tap.

Step 3

Prepare the wooden leverage piece. Cut them to a size that will snug fit into the exhaust tip. I used a electric jigsaw and i am sure a dremal will work as well. They dont need to be cut evenly, just take your time and grind them little by little until they can slide into the exhaust.



Step 4

Slide the wooden leverage into the exhaust and use them as leverage for the puller. Once puller grab on the back side of tip and with its center drill into the wood, you can slowly turn the puller gear/screw whatever that it is called. The tips should come out fairly easily and effortless. No grease or WD40 are required!







Step 5

Redo all 4, put on the new tips and put back the diffuser then you are done.





I hope this helps, enjoy!

[IM2C]

Great DIY. Thanks for the effort. I used WD40 and a hammer, but your method is much cleaner. Your garage floor looks awesome. Epoxy?

[AIRHEIR]

What tips are those.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by f80

Great DIY. Thanks for the effort. I used WD40 and a hammer, but your method is much cleaner. Your garage floor looks awesome. Epoxy?

Thanks! Yes, the floor is covered with epoxy with flakes.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by AIRHEIR

What tips are those.

Those are Gintani black finished tips.

[abnorM4l]

Great write up!
Are these tips 90mm?

[tcpsoft]

Great write-up. I think this is definitely the preferred method. I used a hammer & wood, but if I would have had a puller it would have made things a lot easier.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by abnorM4l

Great write up!
Are these tips 90mm?

Yes, those are 90 mm in size.

[M Vier]

Thanks for sharing

[Acturater]

Originally Posted by psuwcc112

2. Wooden leverage. This is actually the key component of this process. You want to have the size of the wooden leverage that is small enough which can slide into the inner barrel of the exhaust but large enough to stop at the weld joint between the inner exhaust tip and the muffler can. I used 1.5x2.5x5 inches stud that i have laying around the house. And cut/grind out the 4 corners to make them fit into the exhaust.

Thanks much for the write up. Was 5" long enough for you? Also did you have any trouble with the angling of the jaws and the muffler getting in the way?

I tried for about an hour tonight and might attack it again sometime tomorrow when it's bright again. Either way this seems much more preferable to taking a hammer to the car. Thanks again.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by Acturater

Thanks much for the write up. Was 5" long enough for you? Also did you have any trouble with the angling of the jaws and the muffler getting in the way?

I tried for about an hour tonight and might attack it again sometime tomorrow when it's bright again. Either way this seems much more preferable to taking a hammer to the car. Thanks again.

Yes, 5 inches of wood in length was sufficient. And i don't think i had any issue with muffler being in the way. But i did had shorter jaws which i think longer jaws would work even easier.

[Acturater]

Originally Posted by psuwcc112

Yes, 5 inches of wood in length was sufficient. And i don't think i had any issue with muffler being in the way. But i did had shorter jaws which i think longer jaws would work even easier.

Dude this worked perfectly! Thanks mucho for the tips. Adding some pics of my own, as you can see I didn't need to jack it up or anything.

Diffuser coming off




Using the 3-jaw puller


Got the first one out


Here you can see what it looks like coming out. Really effortless to the point I was wondering why the bottom jaw randomly unhooked itself.


Done!

[psuwcc112]

I am glad it helps. Looks good!

Originally Posted by Acturater

Dude this worked perfectly! Thanks mucho for the tips. Adding some pics of my own, as you can see I didn't need to jack it up or anything.

Diffuser coming off




Using the 3-jaw puller


Got the first one out


Here you can see what it looks like coming out. Really effortless to the point I was wondering why the bottom jaw randomly unhooked itself.


Done!

[JoNaH]

Genius

[Magna_Flow]

That's a neat trick. Thanks for posting!

[Sedan_Clan]

Nice! Which front lip is that BTW? Any other pics?

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Nice! Which front lip is that BTW? Any other pics?

It is the Status Gruppe CF front lip, you can check out my instagram or build thread listed in my signature for more pictures. Thanks!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by psuwcc112

It is the Status Gruppe CF front lip, you can check out my instagram or build thread listed in my signature for more pictures. Thanks!

I just realized that I'm already following your IG.

[Shanh81]

Thanks for posting this information. This process was super easy

[wakdady]

a pry bar or a screw driver from behind to get started, then a rubber mallet from behind. done.

[Wingman335]

Anyone have any ideas on what to use for leverage? I checked with home depot but they don't have the size I need... Unfortunately I don't have any tools to cut it to size.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!

[Tommy L Garage]

Do what I did

get a piece of wood and press it inner lip of the OEM exhaust tip (the sharp edge on the inside)
Then, while holding that pieces of wood against the tip, hit it with a hammer. This will slowly unwedge the tips and you'll be able to pull them out. nice and easy.