Tricks to Remove Exhaust "C" Spring Clamps????

[thomas m]

Can I get some ideas on how to remove those pesky "C" spring clamps that
hold the down pipe to the exhaust manifold?? References in the forums
would be great. Thanks.

[srgtlord]

Go to the autoparts store and buy a cheapo exhaust clamp and flip it upside down. You place it inside the C clamp and use it to expand them

[fatmobile]

Yep that's the standard trick.
 But to remove them I grab a screwdriver and stick it through one of the holes and spin the clamp until it pops off.
 Goes flying.

[ORCoaster]

Thomas m,  you may be confused by what Sarge mentioned in that by turning it upside down he meant that you take it apart first.  So instead of having an O clamp, you turn that flat part so it points out and away from the U shape of the other part.  Then you put it back on that way but put the nuts on first.  They will act as pushers, no not that kind, to move the flat part away from the U.

Now make it all small enough to slide behind the two C's of your clamp.  By turning the nuts a bit at a time you force the C open to where you can just lift it off the doughnut part. 

Follow all that? 

[thomas m]

Yes, clear enough.

Convert the CLAMPER into an EXPANDER.

I suppose that you could use a piece of threaded rod bent into a kind of "square U"
and accomplish the same thing.

[ORCoaster]

yepper, just need to get some sort of straight piece across the U shape to force the clamp apart.

[fatmobile]

I think you are better off with a curved piece.
 Like the exhaust clamp has when you flip it.

[zip1916]

There really isn't a good trick you can do. Removing them is easy, as you can just pry them off with a screw driver. Getting them back on is the hard part. Especially on the turbo side (assuming you have a turbo diesel). The OEM tool for the job costs about 14$ in my country, in my local tool shop. If would advise you to get it.

[ORCoaster]

zip1916, I object, using a simple muffler clamp as an expander instead of a clamp is the best trick there is.  What's a clamp cost these days?  8 bucks?