TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat May 05, 2012 4:47 pm

Hi all.

Was going to paint this part while in there, expanded about 1/3 to remove it, decided not to, reclamped. Now bolt holes to engine bracket don't line up.

There's a sleeve between clamp and pipe. It looks like it c/w the part but not shown in Bentley.

It's possible that:

a. I've malformed the part causing it not to line up
b. PO forced it to line up

Is it normal to "force" this part to line up? Thinking "no" as this puts undue stress on crosspipe.

Is the sleeve OEM?

If I can remove it, (edit: sleeve) part might line up better. So far it ain't coming out.

Thanks

Neil.

Sat May 05, 2012 6:23 pm

Normal exhaust heat will distort the pipes over time. Having them not fit well after years of use is pretty normal. Not sure what you did or didn't do, but if the pipes and bracket went back together as they were before and that didn't cause anything to crack then you should be good to go. If the misalignment is something new then you are more likely to get cracking down the road.

Sat May 05, 2012 6:34 pm

Wildthings wrote: Normal exhaust heat will distort the pipes over time. Having them not fit well after years of use is pretty normal. Not sure what you did or didn't do, but if the pipes and bracket went back together as they were before and that didn't cause anything to crack then you should be good to go. If the misalignment is something new then you are more likely to get cracking down the road.

Thanks Wildthings

I'm a little embarrased. The holes are larger than the bolts. Enough so that I was able to put a drift through lower hole, lever bracket down, tap bolt in, etc. The bolts have a point to them though I doubt that is why (to introduce it to holes) Bottom line; didn't want to force too much tension on pipes. Seems I haven't done anything that wasn't there before.

Now to figure out if I can use a donut between pipe and cat inlet. Hole in pipe looked slightly beveled. Filed crap out, Dremel. Almost round. Not sure if metal donut conforms to slightly out of round hole when bolts torqued.

Neil.

Neil.

Sat May 05, 2012 6:49 pm

I just replaced the forward header pipe on my Van and decided to remove that bracket entirely. The structure of the pipe should be enough to support itself.

I also recently replaced all the steel donuts with fibre versions and they do a much better job of sealing, especially in problem areas like you are dealing with between the cat and the J pipe. Just take the metal donut with you to the parts store and they will match it up to the correct diameter fiber version.

Good luck.

Sat May 05, 2012 7:26 pm

Syncro Pilot wrote: I just replaced the forward header pipe on my Van and decided to remove that bracket entirely. The structure of the pipe should be enough to support itself.

I also recently replaced all the steel donuts with fibre versions and they do a much better job of sealing, especially in problem areas like you are dealing with between the cat and the J pipe. Just take the metal donut with you to the parts store and they will match it up to the correct diameter fiber version.

Good luck.

Sweet.

I recall seeing something about a fibre donut. Good to know it's a FLAPS item. Any particular type of fibre? I guess if for exhaust they'll know.

Seems to me that donut provides a flex joint. Which might help prevent the need for a repair? Pic of old cat. No donut was installed, possibly OEM. Not sure if rust or vibration was the main culprit.

Neil.

Sat May 05, 2012 8:51 pm

On my old "toilet bowl" I used the same fiber donut for years by on occasion replenshing the seal using stove pipe cement. Perfect shit for the app. Has to get hot to cure correctly, water resistant and can SEAL small leaks in the exhaust pipes>instantly. Find the leak and smear it on like play-doh. Titties every time :twisted:

Sun May 06, 2012 7:53 am

Thanks CP

Who knew something old timey like pipe cement would do the trick?

Good tip and appreciated.

Neil.