Can anyone give me any pointers on how to get to the two nuts which connect the two flanges together?

Can't see how you get any sort of socket or spanner onto them from below the car.

Thanks

I did my 1.4 tdci from above behind topbox.

Very long extension 1/2" bars and torque wrench.

Be warned, the bolts usually snap if done cold, i would heat them then immediately undo them, gradually back n forth with lots of lubricant.

The bolts are splined and pressed into the flange, if snapping does occur you will have to heat and try to bray them out which is a mare to do, or drill out and replace with normal nut n bolts.

There is another way but difficult to do, use a cordless grinder with a really worn down cutting disc thats about 75mm wide and feather grind one side of the nuts, this will weaken the nut, but dont go too far and grind into the bolt. It does work but really hard to do.

If you are removing centre section, watch out for cross member underneath - goes under passenger to drivers side, the nuts holding it on are 10mm if i remember and these shear the bolts off - lots of lube and again gradually work back n forth.

Good luck.

Thanks very much for the reply.

So, it definitely possible to get a socket on the nut from above, once the airbox has been removed?

Fortunately for me, it looks like the studs go thru the face plate of the centre pipe mating face and the nuts are tightened upto the cat face plate, hopefully that makes sense.So i will need nuts and bolts to fit the new  centre pipe section .

 

i believe the spline pressed bolts are in the front section, the middle section flange just has holes.?

You will find out and all will be revealed.

One other thing is when removing the nuts they will start squeaking even when lubed (just like ford glowplugs)

The more you try to loosen it the hotter and weaker the bolt becomes, so let it rest,cool and relube in stages.