How to remove the muffler from the cat pipe?

[Bammo68]

Am trying to remove the muffler from the long exhaust pipe on my '99 so I can re-weld the tip back on and make it easier to reassemble under the car. I've removed the clamp nut and the main pipe (the long one that contains the catalytic converter) seems to be a slip fit into the flared part of the muffler itself. It will wiggle side to side and slides out about 1/4 inch but no further. There is what looks like a locating pin to align the pipe and muffler - am I missing something here? Is this some sort of rivet or fixture?

 

[Bammo68]

Hmmm... I found this post from @mrblaine in another thread talking about that clamp:

They work a little too well for me. I tend to need stuff to come apart from time to time and once you snug down one of the u-bolt style, the guillotine side pretty much renders them a permanent connection which is great if that is what you need.

I wonder if that's what has happened here - any way to get them apart without destroying the joint?

 

[Gilaguy23]

The U clamps as I can see a but will crush the pipes a tad and make it near impossible to get apart. But...try soaking the joint with a good penetrant and work it every way you can and you might just get it. It would have been easier if it was on the jeep still or held down to something that wont move when worked.

 

[macleanflood]

Cut it off and weld on a V-Band clamp.

-Mac

 

[mudmaster]

Hmmm... I found this post from @mrblaine in another thread talking about that clamp:

They work a little too well for me. I tend to need stuff to come apart from time to time and once you snug down one of the u-bolt style, the guillotine side pretty much renders them a permanent connection which is great if that is what you need.

I wonder if that's what has happened here - any way to get them apart without destroying the joint?

This is the issue

 

[mrblaine]

Hmmm... I found this post from @mrblaine in another thread talking about that clamp:

They work a little too well for me. I tend to need stuff to come apart from time to time and once you snug down one of the u-bolt style, the guillotine side pretty much renders them a permanent connection which is great if that is what you need.

I wonder if that's what has happened here - any way to get them apart without destroying the joint?

I've never been able to get them apart without cutting.

 

[Bammo68]

I've never been able to get them apart without cutting.

Yeah thanks - I certainly tried pretty hard with no success. That section of exhaust is a 2 1/2 inch, right? Shop near me has the only V band clamp in that size in my whole state so might go grab it in the morning...

 

[macleanflood]

I ordered my v bands from Summit and made sure they were stainless. Used stainless .030 wire in my MIG too.

-Mac

 

[BC Moto]

cutting it and putting a flange on it would make it easier, I still have a 2 bolt flange after the cat. Then its a muffler and turn down