I knew it was rusty but £eck me!!

[rstoughy]

As some know my exhaust back box was showing signs of being past it a little.
Decided tonight that id remove it from the car ready for the new one when it arrives along with a new rear mount.

Guessing alot of this is down to the fact the car has sat idle for 6 months as it deffinetly wasnt this bad last year :bigcry: :bigcry: :bigcry:

Heres some pics of the stramash that i found :whistle:


Rear box removed and dropped out




The pile of muck after removal




Remains of the flange's






Now awaiting new silencer and some clamps

[TMAQ]

was the back box damaged (apart from the flanges)?

i know replacement BMW flanges will not fit over the lipped ends according to BMW, they recommend a new back box which has the flanges installed.

my flanges need replacing at some point, likely with none BMW U clamps. think i posted something about this a while back.

[rstoughy]

Apart from the Flanges the back box was ok if a little rusty in places.

I could probably nurse another year out of it but have decided to just replace it as it's off the car.

I will probably go down the route of sourcing clamps to do the job of the flanges unless i can work out a way to get a replacement flange over the flared end of the system.

Work in progress :hahaha: :whistle:

[mole]

Got any pics of your flared ends? :whistle:

[rstoughy]

Got any pics of your flared ends? :whistle:

No but can take some tonight if you want??

[mole]

Wouldn't mind Paul as never seen it all, just read stuff on here. :thumbs:

[rstoughy]

Just ordered up all the bolts, seal rings and a couple of flanges from the local steelers (all in stock except 1 flange) £31 inc VAT. :thumbs: :thumbs:

Am in total shock at something actually being reasonably priced :hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

[rstoughy]

Rich,

Here are some pics of the pipes.

[Mark CSL]

when the car is under warranty and the flange rot or brake the backbox is replaced free as you cant get the flange for the flared end

[Kev.H]

theres nothing like a nice new flange :bigcry::bigcry: sorry couldnt resist :hahaha:

[TMAQ]

maybe a stupid question and i might be missing something but how are you going to get the flanges over the lipped/flared ends?

the centre pipe only has one flared end, didn't know that, thought they bother would be.

[rstoughy]

maybe a stupid question and i might be missing something but how are you going to get the flanges over the lipped/flared ends?

the centre pipe only has one flared end, didn't know that, thought they bother would be.

Not a stupid question and you are not missing anything as i have not worked that out yet but i have a few ideas that i shall look at once i have the bits.
If that fails then a quick trip into Kwikfit for a clamp will be in order

Just dont want a redundent flange rattling around on the new back box. Can't cut it off either as it voids the warranty.

The outer pipe of the centre part slides into the rear box then as you tighten the flange bolts it compresses the ring and creates a seal round the pipe. Just like a copper pipe fitting for your central heating

[TMAQ]

intrested to see how you get on Paul as i'm in the similar situation....

just had new cats fitted under warranty and while it was in BMW suggested (also previously when it was in for a spec II) i get new centre pipes and a back box as the flanges were slightly cracked (not leaking).

i ordered the replacement parts with either 1) the idea of getting an independent garage to sort it somehow, possibly cutting the pipes to get the flanges over the lip and weld back the pipes. 2) cutting the new flanges and welding them back together once back on the pipes. 3) kwik fit it.

not quite sure what to do yet, let us know how you get on :thumbs:

[rstoughy]

intrested to see how you get on Paul as i'm in the similar situation....

just had new cats fitted under warranty and while it was in BMW suggested (also previously when it was in for a spec II) i get new centre pipes and a back box as the flanges were slightly cracked (not leaking).

i ordered the replacement parts with either 1) the idea of getting an independent garage to sort it somehow, possibly cutting the pipes to get the flanges over the lip and weld back the pipes. 2) cutting the new flanges and welding them back together once back on the pipes. 3) kwik fit it.

not quite sure what to do yet, let us know how you get on :thumbs:

I will do

Like i have said it's a work in progress but im deffinetly going to sort something rather than replace a perfectly good centre section just for the sakes of a flange.

[grumps]

Just had my centre and rear silencer replaced under warranty! same problem at the rear box and cracked mounts on the centre.
Just a suggestion for the rear clamps,you could always cut off the flanges and fit new clamps and then have them rewelded using stainless wire to stop any cracking around the welded area:thumbs:.