swapping the downpipe

**tamaneri** · 10-09-2010 10:27 AM

Hey guys,

I have my car jacked up. I am trying to replace the down pipe. My current down pipe is raped.

Anyway. I was wondering how you would get access to the bolts that connect the test pipe to the down pipe. One of them is semi easy to access, the other 2 look rather difficult to access due to a heat shield that protects the cv boot from the hot downpipe/test pipe.

What tool would you normally use and how would you go about doing it? thanks guys.

**old guy** · 10-09-2010 10:34 AM

There are DIY's here for both down pipe and test pipe replacement. The DIY's are for a B5 but the B6 is essentially the same. It may help a little to have the visuals: Clicky click

**tamaneri** · 10-09-2010 10:58 AM

Thanks for the DIY. It helps a little bit. I am stuck trying to get the top bolt off where the test pipe connects to the down pipe. I got the other 2 (3 total connect it together).

There just doesn't seem to be a good angle to knock that bolt loose!

**sherwin@034** · 10-09-2010 11:28 AM

Have you tried Disconnecting the cat from the turbo and loosening up the clamp connecting the "midpipe" from the rest of the downpipe? By doing that you can slide the whole assembly towards you giving you a little more room to play with.

**ingolstadta4** · 10-09-2010 11:35 AM

i stripped 3 or 3 bolts to my cat when installing my test pipe and ended up having to cut the downpipe in half and re welding it after. save alot of time. BUT dont strip them is what im saying. the downpipe and cat/testpipe wont come out together.

**tamaneri** · 10-09-2010 04:19 PM

still working on this.. LOL.

i have 2 bolts reconnected on the new downpipe where it connects to the test pipe. working on the other one.....

**tamaneri** · 10-10-2010 12:39 PM

Hey guys. I have everything back on. However, there seems to be a small leak where the downpipe connects to the rest of the exhaust system.

I was unable to use the stock clamp (i guess the milltek downpipe is slightly longer than the stock one). If I used it, the rest of the exhaust wouldn't line up properly and I couldn't bolt it back in place.

I have the midpipe connecting directly to the downpipe. However, The clamp won't get tight enough, hence the leak. I bought a universal pipe clamp from Pep Boys, it said was 2.5", but I tighten it all of the way and it's still loose as a goose.

What the heck else can I use/do?