I have some really bad exhaust rattle in the center of my car. It is apparently caused by a broken metal hanger at the center of my exhaust system. It must have broken a couple weeks after I installed my OBX "1/2" catback (I replaced the stock system because the rear hangars had snapped through due to rust).

Anyway, the part that slides into #6 is the part that broke. I do not appear to need #6, because those seen fine. It's just the metal piece that broke.

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/k/y/205.png

The section with the broken piece is still stock pipe (I cut it near where #1 is).

Can I get this piece somewhere and have a mechanic weld it on in 2 minutes? I'm kind of out in the "sticks" so I don't want to drive somewhere and wait for them to order it (if they even can...I don't see a part number).

Any ideas where I can get this? If there is a better-than-OEM part I should get? Is this something that a chain like Midas has lying around, if I decide to drive the hour to get to a larger city? I really don't want to buy a whole new pipe...especially since I'd just have to cut it again. Thanks.

 

I would imagine any muffler shop could fix this up for you fairly easily.

 

Very easy repair.

 

Muffler shop, should cost you like $25 tops. #6 is available from your mini dealer for about $10, and an easy repair - the rubber sometimes fails.

Even though you've noticed a break in the rod on the pipe, check a few other things while you're udner there, as that break may have been caused by a misalignment somewhere.

Check also your rear muffler can supports - that center brace is essential for good handling, but the exhaust mount there is not as essential for exhaust location as the (2) rear mounts on each side and the flange mount.

Check also your ENGINE mounts, as a misalignment there can sometimes show up as an exhaust misalignment, and the exhaust rattling somewhere could dislodge a part.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the suggestions. The muffler supports seem fine. The original exhaust had rusted through at the metal on the way to the rubber hangar-holder (I don't know what a lot of this is called if you haven't caught on to that yet...), but the new exhaust seems to be holding up fine.

It is actually too tight and melted a bit of the bumper. I was going to get a longer bolt for the rear hangers, since I found a thread suggesting that, but it seems to have stopped, and I'm a bit late in preventing it from happening, so I think it would look worse if I lowered it at this point.

I'm not sure what to check as far as the engine mounts, but I will reference the bentley manual and see what I can find.

 

cocur any muffler shop should have no problem

a hunk of rod, bent to shape and a quick tack weld or three. It won't be fancy or pretty but it will work fine.

I could do it with my MIG but a lift would make life much easier .... when IS Father's Day?