TheSamba.com :: View topic - early golf/rabbit exhaust manifold C clips?

Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:21 pm

anyone got any good stories about getting these off and on again?

is there actually a special VW tool? :D

Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:14 am

Yes there is a tool to remove/install them. You can pry them of, but you'll definitely need the tool to put them back on. The tool spreads the clamp apart so you can easily fit it over the downpipe and manifold.
I did a quick search and found > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-AUDI-Exhaust-Spr...dZViewItem

Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:16 am

nice one mike, thanks for the prompt answer! :D

i know a few mk 1 golf nuts who no doubt have this and probably could've borrowed the tool if i'd asked.

prising them off wasn't so easy either actually. got them back on with one of my patent instant inventions,hold C clamp in top groove on manifold with a ring like this thru' the bottom hole and a nut on the back, a belt through the hole in ring and feet pressure in the other end of belt loop almost on the floor.:

if it was something i had to do regularly i'd invest the $24.
:idea:

Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:28 am

mike yapps wrote: Yes there is a tool to remove/install them. You can pry them of, but you'll definitely need the tool to put them back on. The tool spreads the clamp apart so you can easily fit it over the downpipe and manifold.
I did a quick search and found > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-AUDI-Exhaust-Spr...dZViewItem
the factory tool is longer so you can do it from further away.those clamps/springs hurt when they fly off and hit you in the nose[not me a buddy]hada get 3 stiches takin his off with a big pry bar.....phil

Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:37 pm

any pics of the original then?

Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:52 pm

there is a pic in the bently ,i cant get a shot of it its real light.

Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:06 am

no problem, i'll go see it in a VW workshop sometime. 8)

Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:53 am

There's a couple of different designs for that tool. The one the shop I used to work for has, it hooks in around the top and bottom of the clip and takes up less space than the other designs. The tool I own personally is the other design though. Here's a couple of pictures I put together from various sources, comparing three different varieties of this tool:

Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:55 pm

excellent pics! thanks for that. 8)

Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:55 am

glutamodo wrote: There's a couple of different designs for that tool. The one the shop I used to work for has, it hooks in around the top and bottom of the clip and takes up less space than the other designs. The tool I own personally is the other design though. Here's a couple of pictures I put together from various sources, comparing three different varieties of this tool:

the factory tool looks like the second one ...with the micrometer looking adjustment...the threaded part is just longer...like 12 inches so you can do it from under the car........

Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:42 pm

I always use a 2.5" muffler clamp. Piece of cake. Cheap too. :)

Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:17 pm

I bought a tool like the last one in the row of pics. The 90 bucks was well worth it. My broken finger cost me 500.00 plus! Yes after prying off the clamp it hit the back of my hand and broke a finger. It may not look like alot but there is a lot of energy stored in the spring..

Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:45 pm

I've used Vice-Grips on the bottom 1/2, after hooking the top on, pull down REALLY Hard it works,if you don't have the right tool.
I have told of people loosing their teeth messing with that clamp...... :shock: