Exhaust downpipes (cat to center box)

The classic has a rattle from the right side cat, so looking at replacing the cat section. HOWEVER it seems on the right side (flat cat side) that access to the bolts is restricted due to a sodding great axle diff in the way.

Anyone have any ideas or experience in accessing these?

figured it out !

for those who may have an inkling of interest. 500mm socket extension wobble bar, jack the car up from the radius arm to axle mount, support the car on axle stands at the chassis, drop the jack down and the suspension is raised to a point to give access to the manifold down pipe bolts.

Theres all was a way to get round these trials of ownership

yep corroded bolt head stopped play though !

Having had to dremel the bolt head off a couple of the suds remained stuck firm.

Had a look at the manifolds and cracked each bolt freely so elected to pull the manifolds, which it transpires was worthwhile as 3 of the 8 manifold gaskets have soot marks from being blown through..

IN THE MEANTIME........... There's always a but isn't there.. on the classic there are two stand off bolts (right bank at the rear, looking down the car) which allow for a heat shield to be mounted. and yes... both of these broke off leaving a stud in the head... one of these show exhaust gas traces through the gasket to the stud , so it looks like they may have been weakened from that

I have the god of threads Perron (the Thread Doctor) coming around later this week to extract them. I'm not going to touch them. Perron knows his stuff and has done work for me before.. however those stand off bolts i am told are no longer manufactured so its a case of leave the heatshield off. anyone have any knowledge of these stand off bolts and if they are available ? The parts manual here doesn't show them