2009.01.22 - Rear Frame Tweaking / Exhaust Cut
- Cut exhaust pipe just behind rear differential
- Removed muffler
- Heated, beat, banged, pounded, and cursed passenger side rear frame brace beneath trunk nearly back into position
- Reinstalled muffler using 1 7/8"-to-2" exhaust adapters and 2" band clamp
- Washed and waxed car
The rear frame rail/brace that spans beneath the trunk on the passenger side and extends to where the tie-down hooks bolt on was buckled in slightly on the passenger side. I assume that the previous owner either backed into something or was gently rear-ended (there has been other evidence of this as well). This wouldn't really be a very big issue except that I plan to install a trailer hitch some time in the near future and the hitch mounts at the tie-down hook mounting points--so if things aren't lined up properly, it would be exceptionally difficult to install. I wasn't able to get everything back into the original position, but I think that I managed to get it close enough to be effective.
I had to remove the exhaust in order to have enough room to swing a hammer. Rather than remove the entire cat-back exhaust (and have to fight the cat and the bolts and the flange gasket and everything), I used a reciprocating saw to cut the exhaust just after the differential. Once I was ready to reinstall the exhaust, I used a 2" band clamp and some 1 7/8"-to-2" pipe adapters (with a dab of Ultra Copper sealant) to reattach and seal everything off. I'll have to inspect it for leaks from time to time, but I think it's going to be a very effective solution. (And I'd much rather replace a band clamp than the cat flange gasket.)
I ran out of daylight when cleaning the car, so I'll probably finish it tomorrow by applying a second coat of wax, cleaning the windows, cleaning the interior, etc.
$9.91 - Exhaust adapters and band clamp
- Removed muffler
- Heated, beat, banged, pounded, and cursed passenger side rear frame brace beneath trunk nearly back into position
- Reinstalled muffler using 1 7/8"-to-2" exhaust adapters and 2" band clamp
- Washed and waxed car
The rear frame rail/brace that spans beneath the trunk on the passenger side and extends to where the tie-down hooks bolt on was buckled in slightly on the passenger side. I assume that the previous owner either backed into something or was gently rear-ended (there has been other evidence of this as well). This wouldn't really be a very big issue except that I plan to install a trailer hitch some time in the near future and the hitch mounts at the tie-down hook mounting points--so if things aren't lined up properly, it would be exceptionally difficult to install. I wasn't able to get everything back into the original position, but I think that I managed to get it close enough to be effective.
I had to remove the exhaust in order to have enough room to swing a hammer. Rather than remove the entire cat-back exhaust (and have to fight the cat and the bolts and the flange gasket and everything), I used a reciprocating saw to cut the exhaust just after the differential. Once I was ready to reinstall the exhaust, I used a 2" band clamp and some 1 7/8"-to-2" pipe adapters (with a dab of Ultra Copper sealant) to reattach and seal everything off. I'll have to inspect it for leaks from time to time, but I think it's going to be a very effective solution. (And I'd much rather replace a band clamp than the cat flange gasket.)
I ran out of daylight when cleaning the car, so I'll probably finish it tomorrow by applying a second coat of wax, cleaning the windows, cleaning the interior, etc.
$9.91 - Exhaust adapters and band clamp