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How hard it is to unbolt the front exaust pipe?

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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 02:18 PM
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Default How hard it is to unbolt the front exaust pipe?

The flex part on the front exaust pipe is leaking. I saw the entire front exaust pipe for ~$90 shipped. But is it possible to unbolt the old one off the catalytic converter?

My car is an 1.8TQ Avant

Thanks

Last edited by a4avant99; Apr 13, 2011 at 05:13 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 05:20 PM
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1.8T or 2.8?
On the 2.8, I do it from the top and take the stuff (intake box on passenger side, washer fluid on driver side of to get to the 3 bolts each, at least the top and inner ones, out from below). Both pipes, the flex pipe and cat are one piece, both going to the Y pipe. In my case, the flex pipes were both bad. Had new once welded in, but turned out the weld is still leaking, so they have to come off again as soon as I can get it up on the hoist.

On the 1.8T has been a while (I think when I installed the test pipe). Not sure anymore if the test pipe ends in a flange to the flex/cat? In this case, the flange should be down and the 3 bolts should be easy to get to.

This was my 2.8 when I got it:
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 04:59 AM
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on the 1.8 it is easiest to just take it to any muffler shop, they can replace the flex pipe on the car, last one I did they charged me $80 installed. they need to cut out the old flex and weld in a new section, call around to Midas and others, unless you can weld not worth doing it yourself on the 1.8.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by jschick
on the 1.8 it is easiest to just take it to any muffler shop, they can replace the flex pipe on the car, last one I did they charged me $80 installed. they need to cut out the old flex and weld in a new section, call around to Midas and others, unless you can weld not worth doing it yourself on the 1.8.
That's about what we paid for the 1.8T to fix, but not sure if they installed a new piece or fixed the old.

On the 2.8 - since I had the exhaust off and had to cut the fixed pipe sections out the previous idiot had butchered in - I thought I order the flex pipes, do the prep work and have a local welder weld it in. NOT a good idea. Was quite a bit of work, and the welder asked for $75 bucks. And after install, I now find it is leaking (not audible at idle, but awful under load). May even take it to Midas now to fix.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 09:40 AM
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Its pretty simple if you have the right tools.

I did mine myself and replaced with with the Bosal piece.

We have them available below.

Click HERE to order or for more information.



Let me know if you have any questions.

Jason
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 12:36 PM
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Default PIA

on the 1.8, if your working on the ground and have an OEM cat, this job is a pain. I would imagine that with a testpipe, it would be much easier.

Just my 2 cents
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Old Apr 24, 2011 | 08:27 PM
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Replaced front control arms. Bought the downpipe, but was unable to get the old one down!
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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Default What a bitch of a job!

I just did this on my son's car, took me 5 hours to remove the 3 bolts between the flange & the catalytic converter. Absolute bitch of a job, had to grind the head off one of the bolts with a dremel. Only took me 3 hours to replace the 3 bolts in the new flange/pipe. Has to rate as one of the worst jobs I have had to do & I have 30 years experience working on European cars!
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by pharriso
I just did this on my son's car, took me 5 hours to remove the 3 bolts between the flange & the catalytic converter. Absolute bitch of a job, had to grind the head off one of the bolts with a dremel. Only took me 3 hours to replace the 3 bolts in the new flange/pipe. Has to rate as one of the worst jobs I have had to do & I have 30 years experience working on European cars!
Dremel?

Why wouldnt you use a torch or die grinder? Wouldnt it be easier with a better tool? Why did you choose a dremel?
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by shanechevelle
Dremel?

Why wouldnt you use a torch or die grinder? Wouldnt it be easier with a better tool? Why did you choose a dremel?
'cause I don't have a welding torch or a die grinder!
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