This thing is wearing me out. I bent the crap out of the right one before I finally quit for the night. Porsche exhausts are a nightmare compared to anything else I've ever seen. So how do you install and remove that clamp without destroying it. There has to be a trick there. Seems like the bolt holes want to bend before the clamp will open enough to be removed or installed. Help!

 

Use a flat head screwdriver to pry the clamps open.

 

Tried that. Didn't work. Wouldn't open it up far enough. These things are on there tight! Like I said, the damn thing bent at the bolt holes before it'd open up.

 

I've put mine off/on more than a few times. They can get tight. My advice (as above) is to pry open the clamp just a bit after loosening the bolts. Then give them a twist. I just wiggle them back and forth to work them off. It can be frustrating and tedious but they'll come off. (DON'T use fluid or anything that will seal them when you put them back and they heat up. )

Also, be sure to do this BEFORE loosening the mufflers. Otherwise the muffler will put pressure on them and make it more difficult. (In your case, if needed, loosen the muffler just a bit so you can ease the pressure.)

Hope that helps.

 

I've got the mufflers off the car right now. I'm trying to get the clamp and the tip section back on to my new after market muffler. It just seems to wiggle all over the place. I don't mind even buying new clamps. I just need to get them on the new cans. How about getting them on with the muffler off the car?

 

Here's what I did to spread the V-clamp: I used a 1/4" X 2" full-threaded bolt and put it thru the existing clamp holes. I then threaded a nut against the inside of the clamp and tightened it against the bolt head. On the other end, I threaded another nut inside the other end and, using a 7/16" wrench, turned it counterclockwise against the other side of the clamp. This will spread the clamp wide enough to fit over the flanges. Before you remove the clamp, remove the entire muffler assembly from the car and do it on a workbench. Before you replace the new muffler, install the tip against the muffler flange, put on the clamp and reverse the process to install the v-clamp. Install the new muffler on the car while leaving the clamp loose. Tighten and align the tips once the muffler is installed. Sure makes the job easier.

 

NC Bob:
Sweet idea. Wish I had thought of that last night. I bent up one of the brackets pretty good before I gave up.
I went to the dealer today and had one of the techs show me how. They use "reverse pliars". When you sweeze the pliars, they open up and spread the clamp. He swapped both of mine in about a minute. Right tool for the right job.
I thought my bent up bracket was toast, but he said it was fine. I guess they're pretty durable. I had bent the holes around a bit using a screwdriver for leverage. Took a bit to get the holt through since the holes weren't lining up so great anymore.

He did recommend me coming back and having the clamp tightened down with a air tool. He said that they leak a lot and you get a hissing noise if you don't sock them down hard.

Ahhh, the fun of a DIY job.

 

Next time, you can also borrow exhaust pipe expanders from your local parts store (like Autozone) that can accomplish the same thing.