Exhaust Clamp - Dealer only part, or Autozone?

[naiku]

So, I discovered one of the pitfalls of being lowered yesterday, driving onto a lift, I hear a thud/clunk type sound. Back off, and look underneath and the center metal bracket/support is all bent up. I start my car up later and it's much louder, get home check it, and it sounds normal. Start it again this morning to go to work, and its loud again, definitely an exhaust leak, and wow does it sound like ass.

This picture is not mine, but the silver looking piece going diagonal is what I hit on the lift.



From reading a bunch of threads that piece of the exhaust is clamped together, I am hoping that the silver piece just banged the 2 pieces apart, and that I can simply loosen the clamp, push things together and tighten up the clamp again. If for whatever reason, the clamp is trashed (not sure how likely that is?) then is it something that can be picked up at Autozone? I am guessing it is just a standard exhaust type clamp and nothing special?

Obviously I don't know the damage for sure until I get home from work and get it up on ramps, but from what I can see so far combined with the much louder exhaust sound, and a putt putt sound from that area when I lean down besides the car, I am fairly certain it is this clamp. The flex pipe piece further towards the front appeared to be fine (again, kind of hard to tell with the car on the ground, but the sounds were from where the bracket is bent).

Seems like at least it should be a relatively cheap (possibly free) fix.

[CorneliusRox]

find frappy. He had an issue with this. I think it is a strange size, and not just a standard that autozone would have.

[JD's]

Yeah, I work at a parts store and all we sell are SAE sized exhaust parts, so they won't fit, what you need is something like this http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-...amps/ES315746/

[naiku]

Thanks both, of course it would be some stupid size that I either have to mail order or go to a dealer for. Hopefully when I get home and can get under the car I can simply re-use the one that is on there.

[CorneliusRox]

Or you could do an entirely new exhaust! lol I managed to save my clamp when I removed my exhaust though. Wasnt too bad. Broke the bolts though.

[naiku]

Or you could do an entirely new exhaust!

After just getting suspension, and needing tires, my wife would not be best pleased if I told her "So Honey, I broke this clamp that I could replace for $25, but it seemed a better option to get a full exhaust costing hundreds more"

I am hopeful that I just banged the pieces apart, and can re-clamp it. Just have to wait until about 8pm to look at it, and probably until tomorrow to do anything about it.

[midnight407]

that clamp failed on mine. exhaust dude cut out the middle and welded in a new piece of pipe to replace that section super cheap. works great

[naiku]

Anyone know the size of the bolts that hold that bracket silver piece on?

Edit: 10mm triple square, came out easily enough. What's annoying is I need an extra pair of hands/ears. I took off the bracket, started the engine up, and cannot feel any exhaust gas coming out around the clamp, felt around by the flex pipe area as well, same, no gas that I could feel. Revved the engine by using my hand on the gas pedal, but I can't reach / hear well enough to know if it is still making the noise. I also put my hands over the exhaust tips, and could feel the pressure building up to the point of it blowing my hands off.

Somewhat confused at this point, maybe the way the bracket I removed was bent up onto the exhaust was pushing the clamp open slightly, and by removing it the pressure on that piece was removed and caused it to seal again. I am tempted to loosen the bolts on the exhaust clamp, push it together, and tighten them again. For now I will leave the bracket off, drive it and see if the noise is gone. If not then find a helper to either listen or rev the engine for me while I listen, and failing that will take it to a shop.

[Mister W]

The clamp is 55mm. Bought it from carquest. Made by bosal or HJS.

That's the one http://www.034motorsport.com/oe-part...s-p-13243.html

[vtwinjunkie]

This just happened to me tonight whilst driving....sounded horrible. clamp rusted through and broke off. I suspect its been going for a while...


Stock exhaust size is a 55mm? I looked on ECS and they had a 50mm one for $26. I just want to ensure the correct size before I order ( I am out of town and forgot to get under the car and take a measurement before I left)

[vtwinjunkie]

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-.../OE/ES2702394/

think I found it.....nevermind.

Ordered.