Technical First silencer clamp

[murphyv310]

Hi.
The first silencer clamp on the Panda is in a sorry state, badly rusted on the flat parts where the bolt goes through.
The clamp cannot be removed as it's slipped onto the pipe before it's all welded up to be a one piece system. The clamp is available separately but how on earth do you fit it, it's thick metal and bending it open is not possible. Goodness knows why it's so badly rusted.
Any thoughts?

 

[portland_bill]

There are lots of different aftermarket clamps/brackets available.
An example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143755655474?hash=item2178813932:g:Y7QAAOSw0fhXlh0K

You local exhaust specialist will probably have a selection, one of which is likely to work. A smaller, privately owned shop is more likely to help. Kwik-fit will only wish to sell you a complete system.
Talk to them nicely, a fix should not break the bank.

 

[murphyv310]

There are lots of different aftermarket clamps/brackets available.
An example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143755655474?hash=item2178813932:g:Y7QAAOSw0fhXlh0K

You local exhaust specialist will probably have a selection, one of which is likely to work. A smaller, privately owned shop is more likely to help. Kwik-fit will only wish to sell you a complete system.
Talk to them nicely, a fix should not break the bank.

Brilliant....... Thank you
I didn't think of an alternative.

 

[murphyv310]

Hi.
I managed to complete the job with the OEM clamp. I got a bit more leverage with a long bolt in each hole and it opened up enough to slip it over the pipe. The through bolt needed the blow torch to loosen it. Once in place I drew it together with a long bolt and nut. A new bolt was fitted for the mounting and it was covered in copper grease. Took about 40 minutes.

 

[gar074]

Nice job

 

[Sicilian]

Does anyone else have water dripping from this clamp? Our driveway is very steep so water vapour from the exhaust must collect at the front of the exhaust.

 

[murphyv310]

Just a thought.
Where is the air con evaporation drain? Perhaps it's from that.

 

[Sicilian]

Just a thought.
Where is the air con evaporation drain? Perhaps it's from that.

Good thinking but it’s definitely the clamp, I was laid under the car watching the water drip from it.

 

[portland_bill]

Water is created when petrol is burnt, which is why we get vapour visible at the tailpipe on cold days. Once the exhaust is hot all the way through, the water passes out as steam, invisible.
Quite a few vehicles have a small hole at the bottom of the downpipe as a drain for this water when the engine is cold. The amount of exhaust that escapes is minimal, and seems to be acceptable as not a leak. On Puntos, this drain hole does drop the water onto the front clamp, as others have reported on various threads, so nothing to worry about.
Not a bad idea to check there is no leak above the pipe, just to be sure.

 

[Sicilian]

Thanks for that portland_bill. I'll have a further poke around next time I get the chance but it sounds like you've hit the nail on the head.

 

[murphyv310]

Could well be the reason why this one was like burned toast in under 4 years, all those short runs during lockdown.

 

[jrkitching]

Quite a few vehicles have a small hole at the bottom of the downpipe as a drain for this water when the engine is cold.

There definitely is such a hole in the back box.

https://www.fiatforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=78233&d=1274388583