Pointers For Removing/Re-Fitting Exhaust Backbox

[hugepiece]

ok my standard exhaust is falling to bits and rattling like crazy so i've bought a 2nd hand lightly used sports system now (the one thats 2 small seperate sports silencers). I'm assuming that this will be easy to swap over while car is on axle stands. Is there anything I need to watch out for or be aware of when I do this tomorrow? I've heard the standard box weighs a ton so will probably stick a trolley jack under it. I'm assuming this is only an hour or 2's job???. thanks as always! I've also got some kind of crazy flee-flow cats fitted (according to LEVEN) so i'll be interested to hear how loud the car will be now........

[FarmyardPants]

You might want to hacksaw through the old hangers rather than struggle trying to get them off the rubbers, assuming you're throwing the old box away. Splitting the join where the box meets the rest of the exhaust is likely to be the most difficult part - lots of waggling of the box required (I used an air chisel but it deforms the pipes a bit). Once the new boxes are on, adjust for equal height, length and angle before tightening it all up. Don't raise them too much using the adjusters - this can pull apart the centre rubber mount. Rotate them instead to raise the tips. You probably won't get them to hang close to the bodywork like the OEM box. Give them a shake to make sure they don't foul the chassis. I put a bar between them (actually a 14mm spanner) to stop them moving around too much. Finally, check the centre mount (push the exhaust up to make sure it hasn't broken). Halfrauds sell a replacement for 99p.
Good luck..!

[hugepiece]

cheers for that. I'm assuming I will be using the existing rubbers? If not I may be buggered as havn't ordered new ones or any other fittings! The exhaust was off a couple of months ago when the clutch was done so i'm hoping it wont' be TOO much of a pig to get off.

[bindit]

You wmay find aligning the exhausts much easier if you grind the joining plate off that bridges the two pipes before the back box. After fitting the exhaust, it can be welded back, allowing the pipes to sit nicely where they exit the cut-outs under the bumper.

[neil0205]

Or like me you can take it to your local exhaust centre.The staff will flock round admiring the cerb and only be too helpful to fit it.Cost £10 and no dirty hands or stripped knuckles.Sounds great aswell!

[hugepiece]

now thats the best idea i've heard in ages - didnt think of that one. I'll have a drive around sat first and see if someone local will do it for peanuts! cunning!

[southendpier]

neil0205 said:

Or like me you can take it to your local exhaust centre.The staff will flock round admiring the cerb and only be too helpful to fit it.Cost £10 and no dirty hands or stripped knuckles.Sounds great aswell!

yep - local quick fit in Southend refitted mine (it had dropped) and made up completely new mounts/hangers and rubbers. Did mine for free! They were very nervous about getting it of and on their ramps.

[hugepiece]

why is nothing simple on this thing........ok so it appears that I need to cut the intermediate pipes off so the sports tails can connect as it's not a straight bolt off and bolt on, except for the intermediate pipes are rusted to bugg3ry! Looks like i'll be ordering some of those too. Think i'll be leaving this job to Leven when they do my 12k on the 30th, just hope I can get some new pipes before then!......

[mad mark]

I see you are from the "Essex/London Border" so probably not too far from me in Romford.
If you fancy popping round we can put the car over my pit and see if we can sort something out.

[hugepiece]

cheers for the offer Mark, will bear that in mind in the future. I've been onto JP exhausts and ordered some new intermediate pipes, the car is going in for a service in just over a week at Leven so i'll get them to stick it on at the same time. I'm in Woodford Green so not far from Romford - we should grab a pint sometime. i've not seen any other cerbs in the area.

[mad mark]

we occasionally do a little run with a few others to the Woodman pub in Ongar. You'll have to join us next time.
And come along to the mid Essex meet, which is advertised on here.