APR fullback crooked?

**WinterRunner** · 06-03-2008 12:08 PM

Well, long story short I needed to have the downpipes welded with the catback, not directly, but welded nonetheless. So I pick my car up and it looks, and sounds GREAT. Except one thing, the right pipes are way outta line with the lefts. THe left side looks perfect, while the right side droops a lil and hangs twoards the left of the valence opening. Now I know this isnt a great big deal but for christ sake, I want it perfect! So I talked to the mechanic and he told me that thats the best he could do. I thought bullshit. When I got home i lossened the clamps and stuff and tryed to fit it a little better with little success. Has anyone ran into this problem and how can I fix this (prefferably at home, but whatever). Thanks guys....

Josh B.

**Stevelev** · 06-03-2008 01:27 PM

you can heat up the hangers on the exhaust and carefully bend them - had to do that with my Milltek (on my B6 A4)

**WinterRunner** · 06-03-2008 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Stevelev

you can heat up the hangers on the exhaust and carefully bend them - had to do that with my Milltek (on my B6 A4)

All the hangers? I was thinking the middle hangers near the center muffler would do the trick? Thanks.

**Stevelev** · 06-03-2008 01:54 PM

I was thinking the right rear but you'll have to figure it out while working on it ...

Good luck !

**kloover** · 06-03-2008 02:05 PM

My AWE non-res catback seems to suffer the same issue. The right tip hangs a little lower than the left tip does. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anyway to adjust it vertically (since it's on the rubber hanger). I suppose I could try to bend the hanger...ohh well.

**b spot** · 06-03-2008 02:47 PM

By your little welding tidbit I'm guessing yours also came from the bad batch where the slits were lined up and would leak with no welding.

I had the same right side sag and my guy bent the hanger up, and they're level now.

**S4J** · 06-03-2008 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by WinterRunner

Well, long story short I needed to have the downpipes welded with the catback, not directly, but welded nonetheless. So I pick my car up and it looks, and sounds GREAT. Except one thing, the right pipes are way outta line with the lefts. THe left side looks perfect, while the right side droops a lil and hangs twoards the left of the valence opening. Now I know this isnt a great big deal but for christ sake, I want it perfect! So I talked to the mechanic and he told me that thats the best he could do. I thought bullshit. When I got home i lossened the clamps and stuff and tryed to fit it a little better with little success. Has anyone ran into this problem and how can I fix this (prefferably at home, but whatever). Thanks guys....

Josh B.

Of course if you have access to a lift, it makes things much easier, but I found with my exhaust, if you loosen every joint, you can move it around pretty good. Including the tips. You'll just have to play with it and do some twisting, hold in place, and tightening.

**likewater** · 06-03-2008 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by S4J

Of course if you have access to a lift, it makes things much easier, but I found with my exhaust, if you loosen every joint, you can move it around pretty good. Including the tips. You'll just have to play with it and do some twisting, hold in place, and tightening.

S4J is right on this one. Without a huge head ache, there is no way you'll ever get it just right, until the car is up on a lift and you can loosen every joint - welded or not - and make adjustments. What also helps is having an exhaust stand that can hold a section in place as you adjust, then you clamp or weld it tight (depending on where in the line you're working) and you should be able to get it. The reason your mechanic probably told you it was the best he can do is because he knows how hard this is and doesn't want to spend any more time on you than he has to. I made friends with the owner of my muffler shop and he and I took hours to get it just right. It's a total pain in the ass but you can do it with patience. The key is to work front to back. Hope this helps.

**WinterRunner** · 06-04-2008 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by b spot

By your little welding tidbit I'm guessing yours also came from the bad batch where the slits were lined up and would leak with no welding.

I had the same right side sag and my guy bent the hanger up, and they're level now.

What hangers did you bend up?