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

**creativecody** · 04-18-2016 07:53 PM

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

Problem Side - Right Side (see how it's almost touching the diffuser...

**AudiS4TW** · 04-18-2016 07:56 PM

Photos are missing.

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**Krusty** · 04-18-2016 07:56 PM

Your pics are broken.

**creativecody** · 04-18-2016 07:59 PM

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

**B8 S4** · 04-18-2016 08:01 PM

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

**14S4GWM** · 04-18-2016 08:02 PM

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.

**creativecody** · 04-18-2016 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by B8 S4

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!

**Meteor** · 04-18-2016 09:45 PM

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** · 04-18-2016 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by 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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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** · 04-18-2016 10:26 PM

Yea no problem. ill post a picture tomorrow

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**creativecody** · 04-18-2016 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Meteor

Yea no problem. ill post a picture tomorrow

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Thank you sir!

**KRS Aaron** · 04-19-2016 08:06 AM

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** · 04-19-2016 09:11 AM

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

**Deckdout2** · 04-19-2016 11:35 AM

Use HD zip ties till you get the adjustments right.

**SportVier** · 04-19-2016 11:54 AM

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** · 04-19-2016 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Meteor** · 04-19-2016 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by creativecody

Thank you sir!

As promised.

Here is the clamp to keep the exhaust lined up:

Where the clamp is attached (circled in orange):

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**creativecody** · 04-19-2016 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Meteor

As promised.

Here is the clamp to keep the exhaust lined up:

Where the clamp is attached (circled in orange):

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Thanks man!

**Josh/AWE** · 04-20-2016 08:45 AM

Hi, guys!

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

Full guide (click me)

**Deckdout2** · 04-20-2016 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Josh/AWE

Hi, guys!

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

Full guide (click me)

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** · 04-20-2016 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Josh/AWE

Hi, guys!

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

Full guide (click me)

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** · 04-20-2016 12:31 PM

You're welcome :)

**14S4GWM** · 04-20-2016 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by creativecody

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** · 04-20-2016 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

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** · 04-20-2016 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by creativecody

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** · 04-20-2016 03:04 PM

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

**timzcat** · 04-20-2016 09:18 PM

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** · 05-01-2016 02:55 AM

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** · 05-01-2016 11:51 AM

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** · 05-01-2016 12:07 PM

right side is off pointing downward.

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**grrrrrrr** · 05-01-2016 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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**14S4GWM** · 05-01-2016 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by grrrrrrr

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

**ptper** · 05-01-2016 04:02 PM

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

**noyzcij3** · 05-01-2016 04:21 PM

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.

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**14S4GWM** · 05-01-2016 04:28 PM

^ That should be easy with adjusting middle bracket.

**ptper** · 05-01-2016 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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Correction...^This is what I have. (Dat diffuser doe

, lol)

So this is what I need to target?

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

At the V at the top of the pic

**14S4GWM** · 05-01-2016 04:54 PM

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

**noyzcij3** · 05-01-2016 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

^ 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** · 05-01-2016 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by noyzcij3

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.