Exhaust help
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 61
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From: Dufur Oregon
Exhaust help
On my 98 where the center exhaust section flange bolts to the flange on the muffler section the frange broke loose from the center section of pipe. After getting under the car it looks like the passanger side has a weld between the flange and the center section of pipe. The Drivers side has no sign of a weld bead. Is there supposed to be a weld holding the flange to the pipe or was the passanger side repaired somewhere along the line? I know. the mod folks will say now is my chance to replace the exhaust system but I am hoping not to spend that kind of money at the moment. What is the best way to repair this? is the pipe and flange stainless? Thanks for the help.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 295
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From: Escondido (North San Diego) California
If I'm reading it right...
The H-pipe flange that bolts to the over-axle pipe flange is the area you're talking about, and the over-axle pipe flange came apart, right?
This happened to me last year, and the pipe/muffler were dragging on the ground. The over-axle pipe flange weld is a known issue with older C5's. FYI, my welds didn't really look like welds with a true bead, they were thin and smooth. I took it to a muffler shop and they re-welded it, and the other one that wasn't broken, for about $40. Sounds like one of yours was repaired previously if it had a bead on it.
The H-pipe flange that bolts to the over-axle pipe flange is the area you're talking about, and the over-axle pipe flange came apart, right?
This happened to me last year, and the pipe/muffler were dragging on the ground. The over-axle pipe flange weld is a known issue with older C5's. FYI, my welds didn't really look like welds with a true bead, they were thin and smooth. I took it to a muffler shop and they re-welded it, and the other one that wasn't broken, for about $40. Sounds like one of yours was repaired previously if it had a bead on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
I think if it were me I would remove the H-pipe and have it welded off the car. The H-pipe is not too difficult to get off and where you're talking about welding is very close to the gas tank.
In the event it's not otherwise obvious, I would mark carefully the correct orientation of the flange to the pipe before removing it. Then remove the two rear O2 sensors, remove the bolts from the header flange (probably the hardest part), unbolt the other rear flange and the pipe will drop right out. It might require a couple of rear gaskets, but otherwise it's just your labor.
There are probably folks out there that will be willing to weld this right on the car, they might even do a good job. But I would remove it. Too much to lose for too little savings...
Good luck... GUSTO
In the event it's not otherwise obvious, I would mark carefully the correct orientation of the flange to the pipe before removing it. Then remove the two rear O2 sensors, remove the bolts from the header flange (probably the hardest part), unbolt the other rear flange and the pipe will drop right out. It might require a couple of rear gaskets, but otherwise it's just your labor.
There are probably folks out there that will be willing to weld this right on the car, they might even do a good job. But I would remove it. Too much to lose for too little savings...
Good luck... GUSTO
