Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool?

623 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Tornado Wolfie, Nov 25, 2001

negativl

Discussion Starter · Nov 24, 2001

2

*sigh*... so close and yet so far. What do I use besides "VW Special Tool !#[email protected]#" to remove the C shaped clamp things that hold the exhaust system to the manifold so I can remove the engine already? local VW dealer parts is closed until Monday, is there some alternate tool I might find at a local (SF area) indie shop? Guess I could try Bugformance, think they're open tomorrow.
In the Bentley it looks like a wedge thing, does anyone know if a piece of 1x4 lumber will work? or is the spring tension high enough to make that dangerous?

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VWDrvrsWtd

· #2 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (negativl)

Probably not much help, but Techtonics has your tool. I packed my catalogs, so I can't give you a p/n, but I'm sure you'll find it on their webpage.

Weaver

· #3 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (VWDrvrsWtd)

The special tool I used on my last car was called a really big flat head screwdriver.

negativl

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Weaver)

quote:[HR][/HR]The special tool I used on my last car was called a really big flat head screwdriver.[HR][/HR]

I can see how that gets them off (safe to assume I need to wrap each to cushion it from flying?) , how do I get them back on? Is there some trick?

Weaver

· #5 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (negativl)

quote:[HR][/HR]The special tool I used on my last car was called a really big flat head screwdriver.
I can see how that gets them off (safe to assume I need to wrap each to cushion it from flying?) , how do I get them back on? Is there some trick?[HR][/HR]

Oh man. Boy does that part suck. It's definately a two person job, and hopefully atleast one of you is pretty strong. One person will be underneath the car pushing the downpipe up and the other (ideally the stronger one but feel free to experiment) will be up top over the engine trying to get that clamp up and over the ridge. You'll have to be creative. Keep in mind the physics of leverage. Where theres a will theres a way, and cussing always helps me alot http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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negativl

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 24, 2001

4

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Weaver)

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Weaver

· #7 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (negativl)

Oh yeah, keep a box of bandages nearby

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nicuss

· #8 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Weaver)

Hang on guys, there's a $2 tool at Pepboys for that. Go to the exhaust section and pick up a U-clamp, I think the 2" works best, although I don't remember the exact size I used. You have to assemble it "the other way" for this purpose. Put on the nutz first, and then the bracket reversed. When you turn the nutz it can be used as an expander. To play it safe I put the "U" part on the grinder and made an indentation 1" wide, 3mm deep in the bottom of the "U" so the clamp doesn't slip.

[Modified by nicuss, 2:50 AM 11-24-2001]

The_Hamster

· #9 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (nicuss)

ditto to that, easier than farking around with screwdrivers and ****e, still no cup of tea though.

negativl

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 24, 2001

2

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (nicuss)

quote:[HR][/HR]Hang on guys, there's a $2 tool at Pepboys for that. Go to the exhaust section and pick up a U-clamp, I think the 2" works best, although I don't remember the exact size I used. You have to assemble it "the other way" for this purpose. Put on the nutz first, and then the bracket reversed. When you turn the nutz it can be used as an expander. To play it safe I put the "U" part on the grinder and made an indentation 1" wide, 3mm deep in the bottom of the "U" so the clamp doesn't slip.
[HR][/HR]

now that's what I'm talkin' about.
Actually, can anyone who's bought the official tool (or at least seen it for sale somewhere) recall a ballpark price for it? Just curious how much money I'm actually saving.

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Weaver

· #11 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (negativl)

Ahhhhhh, you guys are no fun! Back in my days I used to have to walk 6 miles in................

Weaver

· #12 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Weaver)

85 bucks my man

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2035cc16v

· #13 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Weaver)

get rid of the crappy manifold and get a dual downpipe. youll have better performance and forever be rid of the finger smashing c-clamps

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Broke

· #14 · Nov 24, 2001

2

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (2035cc16v)

Yeah, once you get them off, forget them, if you can. It'll require a new manifold, downpipe, and possibly a cat, depending on how well you can weld

I got cheap, bought the manifold used, got a TT race downpipe (no cat, cheaper in the long run), then a TT cat-back system, and I was done.
If you do have to get them back on, like I have several times in the past, it sounds like the u-clamp tool idea is pretty decent. You'd still need a guy down below pushing up on the downpipe, but fighting the clip would be easier.
I did it exactly as Weaver did...same big flathead screwdriver, same unique string of cuss words to aid you in your quest

Probably the same amount of blood from the busted knuckles!
It is possible to get them back on with the screwdriver, but it is a real chore, to say the least. Actually, now that I think of it, I think my Pops got those clips back on from under the car, using the screwdriver...he'd push the clip and downpipe up, keep pushing until the clip opened a bit, then I'd work the top of the clip on with another screwdriver from above, onto the manifold.
Good luck!
Broke

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negativl

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 24, 2001

2

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (Broke)

California smog check has a visual inspection portion. Changing anything, particularly the cat, ist VERBOTEN.

Sounds like the U clamps are my best option at this point... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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negativl

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (nicuss)

quote:[HR][/HR]Hang on guys, there's a $2 tool at Pepboys for that. Go to the exhaust section and pick up a U-clamp...[HR][/HR]

doh. Either I'm blind or my Pepboys didn't seem to have anything like this... Of course, there isn't exactly an exhaust section there either, once I thought about it. Tried looking around the store to see if I could spot something useful, nada. Got a more specific description I can use to explain to the staff there? What do they think it's used for in exhaust?

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Tornado Wolfie

· #17 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: Argh! springyclampy manifold/downpipe thing tool? (negativl)

I felt your pain earlier this week in the cold hell that was my garage.
I was going to do a dual swap, but was turned back when I couldn't manage to get the damn manifolds off! Argh. It's even worse when you cut the 3-bolt rusted ass flange for down/cat and now it's a 2-bolt flange that had to be put back on

For the clamps, I put one on with the downpipe angled toward that side. I then pulled the pipe to center and secured the second side with a c-clamp. It's only a temporary fix so far, but it's made it the last few hundred miles, so I'd say it holds up well. At least until I can finally get the dual on.

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