Stock exhaust broken - be repaired?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Kampsville, IL, USA
Stock exhaust broken - be repaired?
Posted in general section (oops), but it should be here...
I started my '99 today and noticed it was much louder than normal. I went underneath to see what's what and I found that the pipe that goes from the muffler over the rear axle was no longer connected! The pipe is welded to a flat phlange that is bolted to the phlange on the rear of the straight pipe heading toward the engine. The weld between the rear pipe and the rear phlange just let go! Nice and clean. The two phlanges are still bolted together and the "weld" is attached the the separated pipe - no rust or corrosion - nothing. The phlange looks clean as if nothing had ever been welded to it in the first place.
The car has 16,500 miles on it and is almost 4 months out of 3/36 warranty. I have GMPP 72/75 zero deduct but the contract says exhaust is not covered. What do you think, should GM "good will" it. Can this pipe be re-welded to the phlange or do I need to replace from the phlange all the way back to the tail pipes (looks like one piece)?
Thanks...
Terry
I started my '99 today and noticed it was much louder than normal. I went underneath to see what's what and I found that the pipe that goes from the muffler over the rear axle was no longer connected! The pipe is welded to a flat phlange that is bolted to the phlange on the rear of the straight pipe heading toward the engine. The weld between the rear pipe and the rear phlange just let go! Nice and clean. The two phlanges are still bolted together and the "weld" is attached the the separated pipe - no rust or corrosion - nothing. The phlange looks clean as if nothing had ever been welded to it in the first place.
The car has 16,500 miles on it and is almost 4 months out of 3/36 warranty. I have GMPP 72/75 zero deduct but the contract says exhaust is not covered. What do you think, should GM "good will" it. Can this pipe be re-welded to the phlange or do I need to replace from the phlange all the way back to the tail pipes (looks like one piece)?
Thanks...
Terry
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (Terry McGregor)
This is a common problem that I see all the time.It is always a clean brake and can simply be rewelded.The factory welds are poopie...It happens on both the front H pipe,and the pipe going back to the mufflers,so have all 4 flanges checked...
Here is the part that will really **** you off :yesnod: Technicly,GM's policy is to not "goodwill" something if you have an extended warranty (GM doesnt want to pick-up the tab if an extended warranty wont cover it) :eek: That front pipe is in the $1,000 range and the GM replacement muffler is about $300 each :eek: At least try and get them to weld it,and good luck...Chances are you wont get someone who knows policy ;)
Here is the part that will really **** you off :yesnod: Technicly,GM's policy is to not "goodwill" something if you have an extended warranty (GM doesnt want to pick-up the tab if an extended warranty wont cover it) :eek: That front pipe is in the $1,000 range and the GM replacement muffler is about $300 each :eek: At least try and get them to weld it,and good luck...Chances are you wont get someone who knows policy ;)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 2
From: D/FW Area TX
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (Terry McGregor)
Just saw your post, Terry. If you decide to replace it with another stock exhaust, shoot me an e-mail. I'm selling my 2002 exhaust for $200 (+ shipping). http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=227590
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (Terry McGregor)
Try the dealer first and see if they will goodwill the fix. If not, any decent muffler shop will be able to reweld the pipe to the flange for you. Should cost in the $25-30 range to do it correctly. Need to tack weld the pipe first to insure proper fit. Be sure that they use stainless wire in the mig welder !!Then disconnect the flange so it can be welded properly around the entire pipe/flange connection. New gasket and re-bolt - good as new. The whole operation should not take more than 1/2 hour.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (Terry McGregor)
The exact same thing happened to my exhaust after drag racing my car. Clean break. Just had it re-welded. Had the other side re-done as well to make it stronger, the factory welds did not look very strong at all as C5-Tech said.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (MMarquez)
Another option would be to replace it with another stock part. You may be able to pick up a used part from someone who switched out. :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Stock exhaust broken - be repaired? (vmspionage)
To bad you don't live in Plano, Texas. Pronto Mufflers would probably fix it free, with just a tip the installer. If the dealer does not come through, than I bet any muffler shop that is not busy at the moment, would do it for almost nothing! They like to hoist up "Vettes and look under them! Don't we all!