18 replies to this topic

[Hark]

The pipe from the cat to the backbox has detached itself completely from the backbox. It's no wonder it's loud.

Gonna have a play now and work out whether it's straight forward to reattach it...

[JG]

That also controls the rotation of the backbox, so better fix it shorty or risk damaging rear clam and exhaust heat shield that protects number plate.

[Hark]

That also controls the rotation of the backbox, so better fix it shorty or risk damaging rear clam and exhaust heat shield that protects number plate.

Won't be driving it until I've fixed it hopefully. Am I right in thinking you just undo the two nuts and reclamp the two pieces together? Or is it more complicated than that?

[JG]

looks as thought the clamp has just come lose. New clamp, put it back together check everything else.

[Zoobeef]

That also controls the rotation of the backbox, so better fix it shorty or risk damaging rear clam and exhaust heat shield that protects number plate.

Won't be driving it until I've fixed it hopefully. Am I right in thinking you just undo the two nuts and reclamp the two pieces together? Or is it more complicated than that?

You 'may' get the nuts undone without breaking them but its quite rare on exhaust clamps

Edited by zoobeef, 29 August 2011 - 05:33 PM.

[Hark]

You 'may' get the nuts undone without breaking them but its quite rare on exhaust clamps

Ye that's where I've got to. Have soaked them in WD40 twice and tried it with a spanner but no luck yet.

Might be able to do it with a socket but the ones I have aren't deep enough, so I'm going to buy one tomorrow.
If not I guess I'll have to break them off.


So do I need to replace the clamp? Are they generic...I don't need a Vauxhall one do I?

[JG]

The 58mm halfords one fits. (which is what you have there already) I have a stainless one now as i got bored throwing them away everytime.

[ChrisS1]

You want proper penetrating fluid like plusgas rather than WD40 if you actually want any chance of trying to move the nuts. Personally though for the princely sum of £1 I'd just buy a new exhaust clamp and cut the old one off

[JG]

you sure it isn't already broken? If you can't shift the nuts, it hasn't just come lose by itself. I could believe that one of the other back box mounting points has broken (come lose) putting additional pressure on that clamp. Either way it doesn't just happen

[Hark]

Happened mid trackday, so I think it must have been on it's last legs. If a backbox mounting point had broken then surely it would be hanging on one point? I think there would be alot more movement if that was the case? Gonna try it with a socket in the morning if not I might just pay a garage to get that one off and fit a new one. I bet they'd charge p*ss all. Don't think I have anything that would cut through it. Must put some tools on this year's Christmas list.

Edited by Hark, 29 August 2011 - 06:03 PM.

[Zoobeef]

If you use a ratchet or just more strength on the spanner it'll just snap the nuts off. Then the clamp will just fall off. Coat of exhaust paste on the u bend then have fun pushing it back together. Then new clamp on and tightened up

[ghand]

You 'may' get the nuts undone without breaking them but its quite rare on exhaust clamps

Ye that's where I've got to. Have soaked them in WD40 twice and tried it with a spanner but no luck yet.

Might be able to do it with a socket but the ones I have aren't deep enough, so I'm going to buy one tomorrow.
If not I guess I'll have to break them off.


So do I need to replace the clamp? Are they generic...I don't need a Vauxhall one do I?

You may as well soak them in tomato sauce,save the wd40 for squeaky things and get some penetrating fluid

[starlight]

Looking at the pictures, have you undone the other end too?

[Hark]

What you mean? The cat end?

[starlight]

Yes, the cat end of the U pipe?

[Hark]

Nah that seems solid.

[Hark]

Final update. Many thanks for all your pointers. Have fixed it myself with some new exhaust paste and a new clamp. Ended up trying a variety of clamps before settling on one that was 2 and 3/4 inch. Thanks to whoever suggested getting some penetrating oil, made a huge difference. Nuts came off with little effort.

[starlight]

Just thought, is the support from the chassis to one of the three bolts on the U bend to cat pipe still there? They tend to rust away... If missing, might be causing more stress on the joint you've just clamped??

[Hark]

Just thought, is the support from the chassis to one of the three bolts on the U bend to cat pipe still there? They tend to rust away... If missing, might be causing more stress on the joint you've just clamped??

Cheers will check that.