Xantia Exhaust Joints

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 14 Mar 2011, 16:43

Can anybody confirm how these are assembled correctly?

The centre box to cat joint is easy - it slides in and then is clamped. The rear joint appears to only be able to butt together, and the clamp holding them. This doesn't look right as there seems to be a section on the centre box for sliding the rear box in.

Clamps are a pain, I know I could go and buy some two piece clamps but I might just buy the tool for them. Makes it much easier in the future.

Post by **RichardW** » 14 Mar 2011, 17:13

They just butt together - the fact that one is bell mouth and the other bulbous means I guess there is a degree of movement available when fitting it. I usually put a smear of exhuast paste on the joint to help it seal. The spring clips are a royal PITA, but I guess a hefty pair of circlip like pliers should do the business - I think Jim made a pair when he was working on a lot of V6s

I junked the clip on our Picasso last week and fitted a two piece clamp instead - mind you that is no easy task - just getting the old clamp off nearly had me reaching for Mr Angle G Rinder

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 14 Mar 2011, 17:37

As standard it's a cone joint on the back box, if you have a slip joint it's the wrong part.

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 14 Mar 2011, 17:47

It has the cone, and the backbox butts up to it for the clamp to go over. Just didn't look right is all.

I'm pondering whether to just chuck the original clamps and get some two piece ones.

On top of that, I've noticed some LHM on the ground where it was stood whilst I did the exhaust, seems to be coming from the corners. Bloody typical!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Mar 2011, 19:36

it is fine to use a two piece clamp at the rear box joint,

also i have used two thick long pin punch's to open the circle type clamps, one through each eye and both pointing outwards,

i have also noticed a new one is spread far enough appart to just drop straight over the two flandges,

as i have just fitted a new cat to my daughter Pisssscassssoooo

regards malcolm

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 14 Mar 2011, 20:44

citronut wrote: i have also noticed a new one is spread far enough appart to just drop straight over the two flandges,

as i have just fitted a new cat to my daughter Pisssscassssoooo

Thats interesting Malcolm. Might just be worth getting a pair of new ones.

You didn't mention if the two piece clamp is suitable for the cat-centre joint. Any particular reason?

Diabolical · Post by **Diabolical** » 14 Mar 2011, 21:02

I just replaced my back box using 2 piece clamp, fiddly but seems to have pulled it all together OK.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 15 Mar 2011, 07:53

i think the reason they use the ring type clamp on a cat, is the cat can get very hot and the ring type clamps are stainless steel,

also you should never use exhaust jointting paste/sealer forward of the cat,

aparently if it gets into the cat it can damage/destroy it,

i also preffer working with exhaust flandge type joints, far easyer the pipies which go inside pipes,

its all to do with the angle of the dangle,

regards malcolm

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 15 Mar 2011, 10:23

The cone type joint is way better than slip joints in my experience. Installing the clamp does have a bit a trick to it, a pry bar is your friend !
I've found that the cone joint will come apart even after being on the car for years, generally, a slip joint will rust solid and need cutting off.

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 15 Mar 2011, 13:32

HDI wrote:The cone type joint is way better than slip joints in my experience. Installing the clamp does have a bit a trick to it, a pry bar is your friend !
I've found that the cone joint will come apart even after being on the car for years, generally, a slip joint will rust solid and need cutting off.

I'll second that - I recently had to replace the rear clamp on my exhaust - the exhaust itself shows no signs of corrosion but the clamp was just a mass of corroded metal. Replacement was a two hand and one knee job (knee used to brace the rear section in place while securing the clamp).