by D. O'Larde

Created on: October 05, 2008

Exhaust pipes break or wear out due to corrosion. The constantly varying temperature and conditions of the air around the pipe and the high temperature and water content of the exhaust gases contribute greatly to the wear and tear of the exhaust pipe. When it is time to replace the exhaust pipe you either get it to a shop or do it yourself. Either way it is good to know how to do it right. If a shop does it you can at least tell if the money you paid for the service is worth it. Maybe you can just repair it with an exhaust pipe repair kit complete with instructions available in most auto parts and hardware stores but eventually you will need to replace it.

Remember that the exhaust pipe is just one of four parts that completes an exhaust system. The other parts are the exhaust manifold, the catalytic converter, muffler, and tail pipe. The exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust manifold with a flange-and-gasket type of joint. Preferably, nuts made of brass and steel bolts are used to hold the flanges together. Brass will nut rust on steel making dismantling easy.

The exhaust pipe extends from the exhaust manifold joint to the muffler with the catalytic converter inserted approximately midway between them. Slip joints connects the exhaust pipe to the catalytic converter and the muffler and secured with clamps. Replacement parts for the exhaust system should be available for different car models from auto parts stores but you may have to order it through the Parts Department of your car dealer.

Taking your car to the shop specializing on exhaust pipe replacement might be a better option because the shops have the special tools to make exhaust pipes for any car model. The other option is to repair your exhaust pipe with an exhaust pipe repair kit readily available from most auto parts and hardware stores while waiting for ordered parts to arrive.

Once you have the part you can get your car over a pair of ramp to raise it to access and dismantle the broken exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter can be dismantled by taking the flange joint apart at the exhaust manifold end and the clamp at the catalytic converter end. You may have to apply some loosening agent on tight clamp bolts. Once you get the pipe loose you can just pull it out from the slip joint at the catalytic converter end. After the dismantling exercise installing the new exhaust pipe should be a simple procedure at this point. Replacing the exhaust pipe between the catalytic converter and the muffler should be a similar procedure as the first exercise. The only difference is that the joints are both slip joints.

Lastly, it is good practice to tidy up the area after completing the replacement of the exhaust pipe and getting the car out of the way.

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