exhaust strap

[markthe45king]

My rear exhaust strap has sheared ( I expect from having to cope with the battering of surrey's 3rd world roads) - the bracket top and bottom look secure, so am I right to assume that I can just unbolt the top and bottom bolts holding the strap in and replace?

And whilst I wait for it to be delivered, does anyone have a good short term fix to minimise future moving that is a step above my planned cable tie solution?

thanks as ever!

[bmcecosse]

There should be two straps - one in front of the axle - and the other at the rear of the car. If one has broken - assume the other is same age/ready to fail...so renew them both!

[simmitc]

Yes, you can replace just the flexible straps. Short term fix is to cut an old leather belt or use a bit of wire (eg coat hanger).

[markthe45king]

Thanks guys - I had a look at the one in front of the axle which looks remarkably new so I'm assuming was changed when the new exhaust went on a couple of years ago.

The bolts are very rusty on the back one - but there is a clean nut inside the area where the spare tyre is, on the exhaust side - would I be right to assume that that one might be holding the strap in and I can replace it all by undoing that rather yjan clambering around trying to deal with rusty bolts?

[bmcecosse]

Yes!

[katy]

You can make a strap by cutting a piece out of the sidewall of an old tire, then punch holes in it.
I've seen new straps in parts stores that were actually made from old tires.

[bmcecosse]

Hahaha - that's taking 'recycling' to a new level!

[alexmcguffie]

A thick cable tie will do as a temporary measure so long as it can't chaffe on the holes you pass it through. They will withstand 200 deg C so a Minors exhaust shouldn't worry it too much.

[mattinhertford]

There should be two straps - one in front of the axle - and the other at the rear of the car. If one has broken - assume the other is same age/ready to fail...so renew them both!

Hi all, picking up this thread as I had a particular question about the number of straps/supports for my exhaust. I currently have 2 straps and one clamp.....I'll explain.....

1 x strap hanging from the bottom of the boot floor
1 x strap hanging from under the back seat area
1 x clamp fixed to the crossmember
(for info, there is a 'join' in the exhaust just forward of the crossmember)

On reviewing this set up with a friend this weekend, we're not sure the crossmember clamp is supposed to be there as its a pretty hard fixing directly to the body for something where there should be a bit of movement.....isn't it?

However, even with the clamp removed, the exhaust is pretty much sitting against the crossmember at that point, so bangs away like a hammerdrill with the clamp off (I've not driven it like this)

As far as I'm aware, the other two straps are of standard length ie. standard moggy stuff, the one at the end is the longest because the boot floor is higher than the other floor bits etc....so three questions:

1) Do your exhausts hang that close to your crossmembers?
2) Are your exhausts fixed to your crossmembers at all?
2) Where are your straps located on the body pls? (so I can see if I need an additional one near the front, or to move one of them?)

As every, pics are v useful if you have them!

Thanks all

Matt

[bmcecosse]

There should be no 'clamp' on the crossmember. Just the two hangers at the back. Yes - it can be close to the crossmember - but not touching.

[mattinhertford]

Ok, thanks BMC, I will remove the clamp.

Hopefully there is enough of a gap there so it doesn't bang against the crossmember. Will sort it this weekend.

Matt

[bmcecosse]

Is the clamp not just joining two parts of the exhaust together?

[mattinhertford]

Nope, there is a separate clamp that does that, just forward of the crossmember from memory. This is a clamp holding/hooking the exhaust onto a clip fixed to the same nut on the crossmember that holds the end of the torsion bar in place.

[bmcecosse]

Oh dear - doesn't sound like a good idea!