Is there an easy way to drop the exhaust?

[mtnbob]

Is there an easy way to drop the exhaust? I'm trying to switch out all of my shifter bushings, and I have removed the heat shield, undone all of the rubber hangers, Unhooked the shifter bar from up under the engine, and dropped the shifter box down. But the exhaust still doesn't move enough to remove the shifter. Is there an easier way to do this other than unhooking the exhaust from the manifold? I tried undoing the exhaust pipe at the clamp, but it is pretty frozen.
thanks
Robert

[spencebm]

yeah take the reciprocating saw to it  and get a new exhaust? that is a tough one man!

[bvolks73]

Even unhooking it from the manifold didn't really give me enough room when I changed my GLI from automatic back over to standard but a little persuasion with a big hammer made it go. Unfortunately all the twisting and beating caused an exhaust leak that I never had before. I think you almost have to separate the exhaust towards the rear to get enough room. That's how I'd go about it if I had to do it again.

[mtnbob]

What a PITA!!! I took off the C-clips removed the back brace that the exhaust goes over, still not enough room to get the shifter box out. Ended up pushing the exhaust over with all I had, while I wiggled the box out. Hope I can get it back in!!! Not sure if I can get the C-clips back on either :shock: Will try tomorrow if the weather clears up.

[smutts]

Any joy with the loathsome toilet bowl yet? :twisted:

Everybody? Can that section of pipe be dropped without either  head removal, steering rack removal, gas axing it to death? Not one of my favorite designs.

[mtnbob]

no still raining outside. Got the shifter box out, not sure if i can reach the c clips to reinstall them.