Dropping the exhaust - advice please
 

How far can the exhaust be dropped at the rear?

I'm going to swap my rear subframe for a new one, so I'm trying to figure out the best way of doing it.

These bits will also be swapped for new ones at the same time as the subframe:

• Rear trailing arms
• Rear upper arms
• Rear lower arms
• Rear dampers
• Rear springs
• Rear roll bar
• Rear hubs
• Rear brake backplates

Thanks in advance.

:}

Removing the whole exhaust on a diesel is not to bad a job except for the rear hangers. To avoid strain on the flexi pipe it may be better to remove the whole lot.
Is there a joint anywhere that you can split so you only remove the rear section? Mind you this may be easier said then done

macafee2

It's the original 2002 factory exhaust on a petrol saloon.

I've been out to have a look and I can't see any joints at all - at least nothing that looks like a 'normal' joint with a clamp.

According to Rimmers page there should be a joint right behind the cat but I can't see one on mine.

I can't see a flexi-pipe either.

You won't find any joints in the factory fitted system. They were one piece. Rimmer's parts listing is for exhaust system replacement, which is done in sections. So, replacing just the tail end or any other part, means cutting the original pipe at the appropriate places.

TC

I see. What's the best way of doing all this then TC? (Bearing in mind I don't have access to a lift or a pit).

I've got a new exhaust centre section (Klarius) and a rear box (Bosal). The centre has two silencers and looks like #8 here, complete with hooks. The Bosal looks like #10 without the 'ribbing'. The Klarius and Bosal fit together ok, so it's a case of joining the forward end of the Klarius onto the pipe coming out of the rear end of the cat (assuming there's an appropriate cutting point).

Perhaps this is Plan A:

• Cut the old exhaust off somewhere between the two boxes on the centre section - that gets it out of the way of the subframe altogether
• Do all the work shown in post 1
• Re-cut the exhaust at the appropriate point behind the cat and fit the new Klarius/Bosal mid/rear end

What can possibly go wrong. :D

Can you ask a local garage to fit the parts for you? You'll find it extremly difficult using ramps.
TC

That won't work because I'll have to cut the old exhaust to get it off so I can swap all the bits in post 1.

Once it's cut it'll be useless and I can't drive to a garage without an exhaust.

(NB. I was planning to sit the car on 4 x railway sleeper blocks** - no ramps involved).


** Each block has three layers bolted together, something like this:

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...a45f334397.jpg

Each layer is 120mm thick so overall height is 360mm. This means the 4 jacking points on the sills will be 190mm higher than they are when the car is sitting on its wheels.

(Theoretically!)

:}

Hmm. Might need to add a 4th layer to take the block height up to 480mm - sill height would then be 310mm higher than normal.

You can remove and refit the sub frame without removing the exhaust just drop it down low enough.
You do have to remove the bracing bars on the transmission tunnel to let it drop down enough.
Have a look at my suspension topic.