How do you remove the Downpipe?

[Doug_RS2]

What was the trick for removing the Downpipe?

Will it come out(aby) if the car is high enough? Or is it an angle grinder job?

[jameswkr]

It can be done - assuming its a standard down pipe but its a B**ch to do. I had to replace my d/pipe due to a fracture just after the lambda probe. Car was on ramp with adjustable feet - not the type used for MOTs. Good luck. James.

[Mark Halligan]

What was the trick for removing the Downpipe?

Will it come out(aby) if the car is high enough? Or is it an angle grinder job?

LOL, angle grinder mate, thats how I got mine out in the end with out having the car on a lift.

[Greg_S]

If you drop the drive shaft on end nearest engine and you might need to take the steering arm off too.

Greg

[Doug_RS2]

Angle grinder then! I have a spare DP - hopefully the Marco DP will drop in as it doesn't have the Y.

[S2central.net]

Never done one, but it does look a complete utter bee-atch of a job...

[Jeffer]

I never had problems getting the Downpipe off , but then i figuered.......My steering/pedals are on the other side. Doh!!

Well good luck with the grinder, and wear goggles

[nickhey]

Doug,

Even without the y-piece on your new pipe, you'll almost certainly have to drop the drive shaft as Greg suggested.
Mine is the Miltek type with an oval flange at the end. I spent about 2 hours trying different angles and directions, without dropping the shaft and can confirm it is impossible!!! ( possibly because I was working off axel stands and couldn't get the car high enough? )

Drive shaft is easy, providing nobody has beaten you to it and rounded the centres of the caphead bolts! You'll also have to take the shaft heat shield off first.

Good luck,
Nick

[Doug_RS2]

Cheers Nick,

My downpipe does not have a flange on the end - I am going to have a pipe that slips over that and gets clamped on - but this is only temporary till I can afford a better exhaust.

If it is literlaly just unbolting the bolts from the driveshaft and pulling it away I will do this and save the DP - Did you have to diconnect the hub so the driveshaft moves enough to pop out? I have never had mine off.

[sal_s2]

I did it on a ramp, lowered the subframe, didnt need to take driveshaft off only the heatshield.
I think I had to turn the steering to the right to create more room

[Doug_RS2]

Thanks sal - i don't have a ramp - I will need to see if I cn be creative with getting the car jacked up very high - and see if this is possible.

[nickhey]

Never tried the sub-frame trick Sal- I always support the car on axel stands off the longitudinal subframe members ( seems the most solid part underneath ). How do you keep it up ( pardon the expression! )??
Drive shaft comes off with a little persuasion once the bolts are out. I just spin the wheel until the CV joint gives enough play for the 'domed end' of the shaft to clear the gearbox flange. ( You shouldn't have to disconnect anything at the other end, although if you really need some more clearance, you could unbolt the hub carrier from the suspension leg, so that the whole lot move outwards? )
Hold the gearbox end of the shaft so that you can push it upwards, and keep the flange faces level with each other to avoid catching an edge.

Cheers,
Nick

[audiman]

Get the angle grinder out. The 3B one can be a right 'mare, never mind that crap y shaped thing.

[Pisobiker]

Hei Doug, I discovered you got hold of one of my 3" SS downpipes, dude.
Well done
I'm sure it must behave fine, but still would like to have some feedback of the before-after sensation, expecially if you only change the downpipe and center section.


Marco

[Doug_RS2]

Marco - it is well travelled this downpipe!

It is going to be hard to compare it though - as the turbo is getting modified at the sametime, the IC is changing and the inlet manifold is changing!