rolo1985

ok friends just to put one thing to rest on replacing the EGR pipe on 96 LS 400. I will say this with truth. you do not have to drop the tranny to replace this pipe. I replaced the lower pipe on my ls 400. this too about 4.5 hours. the easiest way to access this is from the bottom. simply drop both sides of the exhaust from the manifold and the job is easy. For the pipe I used a 12mm ratchet wrench to remove the bottom two nuts. On the top two bolts I used a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 12mm socket. You will have to have a very long extension with a swivel. removing is easier than installing back,this was a little tricky. the bottom nuts are easy, the top is difficult and time consuming. Once you get the holes lined up slightly tighten the two bottom nut,but leave enough slack to move it around. I had to take a small long screwdriver to put in the bolt hole to hold the alignment then snug the bottom nuts.
Use the long extension and 12mm socket to start the bolts to prevent cross threading ( don't forget to install the gaskets first) and tighten at least 5 to 6 turns by hand. Do this before you tighten with the ratchet. The thing that you nee to be careful of is not allowing the bolts to fall out of the socket (use a small piece of paper around the bolt to snug the fit into the socket this way it will not fall out easy) Afterward simple tighten both bolts and both nuts. Replace the exhaust and you are finished.
If additional room is needed to work in drop the rear trans mount and it will lower and give you more space to work. GOOD LUCK TO YOU. I did it 4.5 hrs.

rolo1985

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

thanks for the information. i was not aware that removal of the exhaust downpipes were necessary but then again there is barely any room to access the tube. did you buy the new pipe brand new from the dealer? price?

morillest4

Sounds way better and easier than dropping the tranny. I need to give this a try my egr pipe has been cracked for the longest

akitomk3

iTrader: (2)

All I did was to remove the passenger side cat and remove/ replaced the pipe. End of story. Didn't have to drop tranny or remove anything else in the way. As easy as it sound it's annoying with the top 2 bolts that took the longest but other than that, it'snot too bad

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Where do you get this two piece pipe?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

that is exactly what we done on my 97 a few years back, and we did a write up about it also.....