Bigclubs

After listening to the exaust bouncing off the cross member for the last few months, I replaced the transmission shock mount thinking this was what was causing my pipes to rest on the cross member. I found later the 1/2 dia rod welded to the front pipe was snapped off.

I asked a muffler shop if they would weld a new 1/2 rod to the pipe and their answer was "We don't have a rod that diameter and we do that work". I did not want to replace the pipe since there are no signs of it going bad so I made my own replacement.

Sorry about the quality of pictures, was taking shots with camera phone lying on my back. No truck lift to make it easier.

First step was bending a piece of 1/2 dia steel rod, using a propane torch and vice. Next step was jacking up the exaust and mark where the muffler clamp has to be welded to the rod.
Remember how it mounts when crawling out from under the vehicle.

Rod faces towards the front of the engine, bracket to rear. I welded the frist rod backwards and had to start over.



used a sissor jack to raise the exaust off the cross member



attached new bracket, was not able to get the new clamp horizontal to the pipe, but this was close enough to the original where I placed it.



view from the drivers side showing the bar mounted in the rubber bushing.



Even though the bracket is not horizontal to the pipe, the exaust pipe is not touching the cross member. Hope this works since I am looking to save a few hundred dollars by not having the muffler shop replacing the pipe.

mcnslayer

so how is it working sofar and banging?

Bigclubs

Went out this evening to the store and did not hear any noise from the exhaust pipe against the cross member. Usually heard the noise when shifting into drive, idling at a stop light or hitting the gas when the light turns green.
The town is working to widen the main road, so it's tore up in most places and other sections only have the first asphalt coat applied which makes the ride quite bumpy. No noise riding over these roads.
The exhaust even sounds a bit quieter than before. Just need to wait and see if my so-so weld job holds up.
The 1/2 dia rod cost $6 and the clamp $3.50. Having someone else weld the parts maybe $20-30. Still better than replacing the front pipe.