Help Me Align My AWE Exhaust...Again...

[creativecody]

I've had my AWE exhaust for about 2 yrs now and I absolutely LOVE the sound.....the part I can't stand is it's tendency to move around over time. Has anyone found a way to keep this thing aligned properly? I'm going to get my indy shop to mess with it soon but thought I'd ask here first to see if anyone has any tips on how to get it aligned properly. Here are some pics (Yes...I know the tips are dirty ;)). The left side is actually pretty perfect but the right side is at a slight angle and almost touching the stock diffuser.

Left Side
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7714045/Photo%20Apr%2018%2C%205%2048%2010%20PM.jpg

Problem Side - Right Side (see how it's almost touching the diffuser...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7714045/Photo%20Apr%2018%2C%205%2047%2054%20PM.jpg

[AudiS4TW]

Photos are missing.


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[Krusty]

Your pics are broken.

[creativecody]

Just fixed the pics.....see above.

[B8 S4]

I have given up on mine, no one else will notice it but you.

[14S4GWM]

Mines off a hair on that side too but not that close. It's been about 8 months for me and thought about effin with it again.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/krothrock1/Audi%20S4/image.jpg7_2.jpg

[creativecody]

I have given up on mine, no one else will notice it but you.

I'm gonna get it right then weld that M'Fer in place! [headbang]

[Meteor]

I had that issue as well...the shop that installed it (props to KMD Tuning) had adjusted it twice for me to get it right. What they ended up doing was putting a clamp on the muffler hanger to prevent it from sliding over any further than it should be (the clamp keeps it centered on the rear valence cutouts). They recommended welding it in place but I wasn't too keen on doing that in case the exhaust ever needed to be removed. However, so far the clamp has held up perfectly over the past 18 months.


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[creativecody]

I had that issue as well...the shop that installed it (props to KMD Tuning) had adjusted it twice for me to get it right. What they ended up doing was putting a clamp on the muffler hanger to prevent it from sliding over any further than it should be (the clamp keeps it centered on the rear valence cutouts). They recommended welding it in place but I wasn't too keen on doing that in case the exhaust ever needed to be removed. However, so far the clamp has held up perfectly over the past 18 months.


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Any chance you can share a pic of what you're talking about. I have an idea but a pic would help. I'm not opposed to welding a little bit just to get this thing to stay put. Can always break the weld later if you really need to.

[Meteor]

Yea no problem. ill post a picture tomorrow


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[creativecody]

Yea no problem. ill post a picture tomorrow


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Thank you sir! [hail]

[KRS Aaron]

I have the same issue and I'm about to go at it another try. I'm thinking about taking it apart and putting it back together again since it all keeps moving on me and I suspect that some area may be under some tension. I may also try to upgrade to the bigger tips before I do so since I have the Deval diffuser.

[mmm def]

Mine look exactly the same. I just learned to live with it.

[Deckdout2]

Use HD zip ties till you get the adjustments right.

[SportVier]

Had the same exact fitment issue on mine - left side centered, right side... not. My exhaust shop was able to get it straightened out, but took some work including heating and bending one of the pipes slightly. Once they nailed it they tack welded the joints. Has been perfect for 3k miles now.

[creativecody]

Had the same exact fitment issue on mine - left side centered, right side... not. My exhaust shop was able to get it straightened out, but took some work including heating and bending one of the pipes slightly. Once they nailed it they tack welded the joints. Has been perfect for 3k miles now.

I was thinking that heating and bending may be the call here as well.

[Meteor]

Thank you sir! [hail]
As promised.

Here is the clamp to keep the exhaust lined up:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160419/5a5c2a01f2fd99896595abd46d48b578.jpg

Where the clamp is attached (circled in orange):
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160419/22935df55a3ce1dc5e7b78dd4d595f43.jpg

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[creativecody]

As promised.

Here is the clamp to keep the exhaust lined up:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160419/5a5c2a01f2fd99896595abd46d48b578.jpg

Where the clamp is attached (circled in orange):
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160419/22935df55a3ce1dc5e7b78dd4d595f43.jpg

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Thanks man!

[Josh/AWE]

Hi, guys!

We supply hanger clamps for this reason, and it's called out in the install instructions as well.

http://s31.postimg.org/kcj7ocicb/Screen_Shot_2016_04_20_at_10_41_54_AM.png

Full guide (click me) (http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/pdf/AWE_B8_S4_exhaust_systems_touring_edition_90mm_tip s.pdf)

[Deckdout2]

Hi, guys!

We supply hanger clamps for this reason, and it's called out in the install instructions as well.

http://s31.postimg.org/kcj7ocicb/Screen_Shot_2016_04_20_at_10_41_54_AM.png

Full guide (click me) (http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/pdf/AWE_B8_S4_exhaust_systems_touring_edition_90mm_tip s.pdf)

I cosign this post.

I personally used zipties on the rubber hanger part if it hung too low on one side versus the other, but yes these clamps work well for horizontal alignment.

[creativecody]

Hi, guys!

We supply hanger clamps for this reason, and it's called out in the install instructions as well.

http://s31.postimg.org/kcj7ocicb/Screen_Shot_2016_04_20_at_10_41_54_AM.png

Full guide (click me) (http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/pdf/AWE_B8_S4_exhaust_systems_touring_edition_90mm_tip s.pdf)

Thanks Josh! Looks like I'll be climbing under my car tonight to see if those are even there. Maybe they were never installed or came off.

[Josh/AWE]

You're welcome :)

[14S4GWM]

Thanks Josh! Looks like I'll be climbing under my car tonight to see if those are even there. Maybe they were never installed or came off.

Even with those on you will still have to loosen the center section to get it over to the right. I have those clamps and they don't help in that direction on the passenger side.

[creativecody]

Even with those on you will still have to loosen the center section to get it over to the right. I have those clamps and they don't help in that direction on the passenger side.

Interesting. I think what Meteor did in his post further up this thread may actually be a better call to combat this issue. He put clamps on the other side of the rubber element to prevent the tips/muffler from moving towards the center of the car.

[14S4GWM]

Interesting. I think what Meteor did in his post further up this thread may actually be a better call to combat this issue. He put clamps on the other side of the rubber element to prevent the tips/muffler from moving towards the center of the car.

I agree but you will still need to loosen the center section I believe. Mine stays in one spot and doesn't move now, I just need to get it to the right.

[Josh/AWE]

There is opportunity for adjustment in the brackets holding the hangers, gentleman.

http://s31.postimg.org/kta2w8c57/Screen_Shot_2016_04_20_at_5_01_31_PM.png

[timzcat]

I found the exhaust a PITA to get lined up properly. Don't bother putting the dope in on first install because you are guaranteed to do it more then once to get it right.
Then when you go back you can add the sealer to the joints but even with plenty applied I still hear leaks, especially when exhaust is cold.
For the money I could have had a custom exhaust fabricated locally which in hindsight I should have after seeing the guys work.

[grrrrrrr]

i too have issues with the right side as it is angled towards center of car and pointing downwards. both sides of the exhaust are pointing towards the center of car. Any advice what to tell the guys at the shop to fix alignment.

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[creativecody]

After crawling under my car I think the issue is that the cross bracket, which connects the two mid section outlet pipes loosens over time causing the right side to push inward, towards the center of the car. Do you think this cross bracket could just be welded to keep it from moving? I'm also considering putting a clamp like Meteor did on one side of the rubber element to keep the tips from sliding further over.

[grrrrrrr]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/dd277e12db745b924d88c5b687704471.jpg

right side is off pointing downward.

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[grrrrrrr]

After crawling under my car I think the issue is that the cross bracket, which connects the two mid section outlet pipes loosens over time causing the right side to push inward, towards the center of the car. Do you think this cross bracket could just be welded to keep it from moving? I'm also considering putting a clamp like Meteor did on one side of the rubber element to keep the tips from sliding further over.
could you show in the photo where the cross bracket is. thanks.

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[14S4GWM]

could you show in the photo where the cross bracket is. thanks.

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At the V at the top of the pic
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/krothrock1/Audi%20S4/image.jpg4_5.jpg

[ptper]

Just looked closer at my right side...sigh, i have it too. wtf!

[noyzcij3]

I've been trying to fix mine for a while too, but my problem is quite the opposite. Both outer sides are slanted downwards. But at least they're just about evenly slanted.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/ce9138daa3e243418491efebc23cec7f.jpg


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[14S4GWM]

^ That should be easy with adjusting middle bracket.

[ptper]

I've been trying to fix mine for a while too, but my problem is quite the opposite. Both outer sides are slanted downwards. But at least they're just about evenly slanted.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160501/ce9138daa3e243418491efebc23cec7f.jpg


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Correction...^This is what I have. (Dat diffuser doe [up], lol)

So this is what I need to target?

At the V at the top of the pic
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/krothrock1/Audi%20S4/image.jpg4_5.jpg

[14S4GWM]

^ Yes but you might need to loosen the two rear clamps to get the rotation of the pipes.

[noyzcij3]

^ That should be easy with adjusting middle bracket.

I tried adjusting at the V, while it did align the two left tips a bit better, but it angled the whole muffler downwards at the back compared to the right. And if I angle the right muffler the same way, the two tips get misaligned on that side.

[14S4GWM]

I tried adjusting at the V, while it did align the two left tips a bit better, but it angled the whole muffler downwards at the back compared to the right. And if I angle the right muffler the same way, the two tips get misaligned on that side.

I had the worst time doing mine on a lift. I got it close and left it that way and haven't touched it since. I might not touch it cause it is a pain. It takes some patience.

[grrrrrrr]

Can AWE rep point where to adjust specifically to fix alignment. tnx in advance. My OCDness is killing me [emoji43]

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[14S4GWM]

Can AWE rep point where to adjust specifically to fix alignment. tnx in advance.

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The instructions are online. Theres only a couple of spots to touch and you need to get them just right.

[grrrrrrr]

The instructions are online. Theres only a couple of spots to touch and you need to get them just right.
I assume its step 9 and 10? I have to go back to the shop who installed it. The guy who installed it said he can't do anything about it anymore when i mentioned the alignment.

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[14S4GWM]

^ I feel your tech's pain, I did the same thing when I did mine. I haven't been through the instructions a while though so can't help ya there.

[vandygolf]

what diffuser are you running? It looks amazing

[KRS Aaron]

what diffuser are you running? It looks amazing

It's the Deval if you are referring to the Sepang picture on the first page. I have the same one and it is amazing but I'm always paranoid about scratching it when washing the car.

[grrrrrrr]

just got back from the shop and here is the before and after. I think its a little better. they kinda have to use force by bending and it was painfull to watch. but guess this works for now.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160502/72e903419c2fe9f22a15c5baa0cbdcc1.jpg

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[14S4GWM]

^ Looks good now.

[ALAN12186]

is it just me or does it now the right side looks like its angled? The drivers side looks straight the passenger side likes like it angles up left to right

[14S4GWM]

is it just me or does it now the right side looks like its angled? The drivers side looks straight the passenger side likes like it angles up left to right

I was looking left to right but yeah it does look angled a bit. Probably not noticeable on the ground though.

[grrrrrrr]

Yes it is still not perfect but what really bothered me was the sagging of the right side on the before photo. Guy at the shop was loosing his patience and he was really using force and was bending the exhaust. I would probably have it aligned to an authorized AWE dealers around my area when I decide to go stage 2.

[eswift]

necro bump

Just wanted to complain that this is the bane of my existence. I don't have the res dps but i'm pretty sure what i think is excessive drone is the exhaust drifting and touching the diffuser on the passenger side. Have pretty much re-installed from the center res back twice and no dice. keeps moving. using the supplied clams on the hangers as well.

The attachment point from the center res "Y" shaped thing always comes loose enough to move, have used the lock washer as well. I think this is causing the shift. Super annoyed rn.

[KRp220]

necro bump

Just wanted to complain that this is the bane of my existence. I don't have the res dps but i'm pretty sure what i think is excessive drone is the exhaust drifting and touching the diffuser on the passenger side. Have pretty much re-installed from the center res back twice and no dice. keeps moving. using the supplied clams on the hangers as well.

The attachment point from the center res "Y" shaped thing always comes loose enough to move, have used the lock washer as well. I think this is causing the shift. Super annoyed rn.

mine has shifted a couple of times as well. tighten all the clamps wicked hard. i used some exhaust sealant in a few spots as well

[eswift]

mine has shifted a couple of times as well. tighten all the clamps wicked hard. i used some exhaust sealant in a few spots as well

Haha thanks! Yea I only have a 1/2" torque wrench and my bit for the nuts on the clamps is 3/4 so i had to just give it maximum uggaduggas maybe not enough lol