5 replies to this topic

[Fire_monkey]

just got home from a little brake down, basically my exhaust fell off from where it joins the manifold ( RC40 and LCB manifold)

I didn't have a jack on me so i had to call out the AA, the guy said to me there should be some sort of flexi joint between the manifold and exhaust, but as i didn't get one with the stage one kit i obviously did fit one.

Now looking round mini spares i can seem to find any flexi joint, so do i need one?

Edited by Fire_monkey, 17 September 2009 - 12:33 PM.

[ad53ggz]

could you not just weld on a flexi joint from another car?

[Fire_monkey]

bump

[JD8891]

There isn't one on mine. I think the flexi pipes are only on minis with cats, but I'm not sure about that so wait for someone else to confirm.

JD

[Fire_monkey]

yer i was wondering why they (mini spares/sport) would see kits without them.


i am guessing that one of my exhaust clips must have all out failed!

[Minimininut's Dad]

I may be out-of-date now but I always understood that the exhaust system on a Mini was also part of the engine stabilising system, and that putting a flexible section in would allow the engine to rock about more. So it is usually important that everything is mounted and clamped firmly and not stressed in any direction*. It's vital that the clamp at the bottom of the downpipe is firmly fixed at back of the transmission casing. The Stage One kit on the 1988 Mini I have been recently working on (see Minimininut's "Arthur") certainly has no flexible joint - the first point where movement is allowed is at the rubber mounting at the front of the rear subframe.

*To achieve this you may need to undo all the pipe joints and reassemble; starting at the front, adjust the clamp and bracket on the transmission casing so that you can tighten the bolts without straining the pipe from the manifold in any direction (you may need to shift things around a bit and even use some washers as spacers), then clean up all the pipe joints and loosely reassemble the rest of the system (I always use something like Firegum to help seal the joints), get the system hanging on the rear mountings and all lined up so it can't knock on anything and then tighten all the clamps and brackets fully.

Hope this is of some help, to someone?