As many of you who have added the FM exhaust know, the center pipe at the cat back pipe can come loose. Well mine came loose causing the exhaust tips to lean upward and touch the exhaust valence. This caused the exhaust valence to melt. I did not add the missing 4th hanger and will now do so since this should prevent this from happening again. Pics of the damage follow.

Also as a result of this whole mess, when straightening out the tips, my center pipe needs to be twisted such that below the haldex unit now dangles precariously low. This is where the pipe takes a big bend to miss the haldex unit. So low that I scrapped the pipe on the ground going over a bump the yesterday (i think i might have scrapped a pinhole in the pipe). So I will probably need to fix or customize the pipe soon.

Also, thanks to the GB from max at edgeracing, I was finally able to replace my bent rim this week. The rim was bent about 1/2" out of round by one of those fiber optic ditched where they put the steel plates over while working. The plate was out of place and down wheen the wheel. The only blessing was that the wheel was the only one of the four that had road rash. Sportecs are back on and looking good.

<img src="http://www.barrettenclosures.com/tas/rear_exhaust_valence4.jpg">

<img src="http://www.barrettenclosures.com/tas/rear_exhaust_valence.JPG">

<img src="http://www.barrettenclosures.com/tas/rear_exhaust_valence2.JPG">

 

I've added the parts (cheap $$). My center pipe came loose too, but heard it before it separated. The additional hanger is good insurance.

 

When the new car comes, I'll be having the FM exhaust installed. Bought the Borla clamps you guys suggested using instead of the ones that come with the FM. Aside from that measure, is there anything else I need to do upon installation to assure that your unfortunate mishap does not happen on my car? Am really sorry this happened and that you've had this problem.

Den

 

to get??? Clueless here. Got the Borla clamps to ensure it doesn't come loose...newbie here needs to know if I need to get more stuff....LOL.

 

an additional center hanger for the mid-pipe. At some point, Audi deleted this part. The holes and mounting bolts are already there. You need to buy the hanger and the rubber donut. I think the parts were less than $25 as I recall. The FM has the hanger arm already welded on so this is an easy addition when putting on the exhaust...Your Bentley should show the parts!

 

correct. My exhaust pipe (just looked) has two hanger arms...what your saying is that my new car will have the hanger for only one of these but is set up for both, all I have to do is buy the hanger dealy bop to hook up to the second one...what a pain.... help, anybody with part numbers ??? Heading off to investigate Bentley.

 

Hey Denny welcome to the world of modding... just listen to Steve, he knows it all.

 

LOL, Dick. I need to understand first ... ;-)

 

I know when to flex the ole credit card for the "necessary" stuff....(like wheels, and FMIC and... and...and... etc, etc...more....aaarrrgghh!)

 

hanger when he was installing the first series of the exhausts for the local TTers.