[Engine] exhaust sheared at bottom of cat

[BLINGO BOMBA]

1.4i 2005, fairly new lookin exhaust has sheared at weld at bottom of cat/downpipe.  looks like downpipe should be supported under engine but it isnt.  Hoping to get it welded in situ, anyone else had this issue?

[Gadgetman]

The downpipe should have a bracket on it that fits up against the underside of the bell housing. The bolt is a large Hex head bolt that goes through the bracket, rim of the bell housing and the bottom lip on the engine side.
As the bracket is on the upper side of the pipe(after the bend to horisontal) it's a bl**dy pain to remove and install, so I can understand if some amateur mechanic conveniently 'forgot' to replace it.

At least that's how it is on my 1999 M49...

[BLINGO BOMBA]

The downpipe should have a bracket on it that fits up against the underside of the bell housing. The bolt is a large Hex head bolt that goes through the bracket, rim of the bell housing and the bottom lip on the engine side.  
As the bracket is on the upper side of the pipe(after the bend to horisontal) it's a bl**dy pain to remove and install, so I can understand if some amateur mechanic conveniently 'forgot' to replace it.  

At least that's how it is on my 1999 M49...

Thanks for that, sounds about right.  There are signs that something has been hacked off the pipe there!  I'll see if i can get a bracket welded when i get the pipe welded, if anyone will do it, one refusal so far.
According to Haynes the earlier models had a flange fitting to the bottom of cat, but mine is welded straight to the cat.

[Gadgetman]

It'll probably cost you more to get the pipe welded than getting a complete one from either a breaker or a 3rd party parts seller...
just saying...

[geoff]

Good luck getting the welding done, most places don't like / don't really do any welding these days.

Generally they baulk at taking on a fiddly job in an awkward position with old metal that might either spit or blow through now add in all the hassle it entails for both doing the job and from the customer when it goes wrong it is hardly surprising they refuse.

Good luck all the same.

Personally I'd fit new parts if the wallet allows and you intend holding onto the vehicle for a while.

[Art b]

Good luck getting the welding done, most places don't like / don't really do any welding these days.

Generally they baulk at taking on a fiddly job in an awkward position with old metal that might either spit or blow through now add in all the hassle it entails for both doing the job and from the customer when it goes wrong it is hardly surprising they refuse.

Good luck all the same.

Personally I'd fit new parts if the wallet allows and you intend holding onto the vehicle for a while.

This is true..
I weld a few bits on cars..

If it was off the car it would be more appealing

[cancunia]

There are a few sellers on ebay that sell strips of steel with holes & slots in them for mounting exhausts on classic / custom cars. Maybe you can make a bracket by wrapping the strip around the pipe and bolting it somewhere convenient?

[frank]

you may find that someone cut that pipe off to gut the cat ? and then birdshit welded it back on

[BLINGO BOMBA]

OK got the exhaust welded before it completely sheared, he wasnt really interested in welding a bracket so i'll see if i can jubilee clip a bracket to the pipe that bolts to the bell housing, before it breaks again!
Thanks for all your helpful posts, btw there are quite a few mentions of good breakers for parts, can anyone recommend a good one?

[cancunia]

Chances are that a jubilee clip will corrode quickly unless you use one made from stainless. I was using some galvanised joist repair strip on my Fiat GP and it only lasted a few months. But it was just as well made as the rest of the car!