Simple way to remove exhaust clamps?

[rallydiesel]

I am going to be pulling our 1.6 TD's engine for the first time and want to know how you guys remove the C clamps on the down pipe? Could I just use a couple curved rods to lever them open or do I need a special tool?

[Fisher]

Getting them off is easy, you can just stick a screw driver into the hole in one end and pry them off, watch your face when you do it.  Getting them back on is the hard part.

[burn_your_money]

For removal I used to pry them off with a ratchet or screwdriver, whatever was handy.

Now I use this


worth it's weight in gold

If you need tips for installation without the tool just ask

[Vincent Waldon]

Some one has to say it:   search for "exhaust clamp" here and on www.vwdieselparts.com and you'll find pictures of various home made tools and lots of discussion.

 


Vince

[foxracer1]

take an exhaust clamp and put the nuts on the u bolt. then put the saddle backwards on the ubolt stick in the c clamp and back the nuts off of the u bolt forcing the c clamp apart. a 1.75" or 2" clamp works

[Darth Garry]

With a pair of these wedges, they become a former-pain-in-the-ass exhaust clamps as with the wedges, it becomes a 2 minute process.

These wedges can be made by anyone with some flat steel stock and a way to cut it and a grinder.

First the photos:


Here are the wedges in action holding the springs open.  

Here's the part number of the big one.  I don't know if it's something you can still order, but it is a genuine VW/Audi part.  My dad got a few sets when he worked at the dealership.

So, how do you use these, you ask?  

It's simple, and doesen't involve messing around with prybars, weird u bolt openers, or the weird clamp opening tool.  Here's what you need:

EYE PROTECTION!  You are forcing these springs open.  I made the mistake of dropping one once, and there is enough force to send the spring flying.  It flew at me and took a large chunk out of my eyeglasses.  I can't stress this strongly enough!

Your wedges.

A set of channel lock pliers.

2 minutes.

1)  Take the big wedge and jam it into the C clip as far as you can.
2)  Take your channel lock pliers and adjust them to get a good grip on the downpipe.
3)  Rotate the downpipe with the pliers as to force the C clip open further
4)  Jam the wedge in as far as it will go.
5)  Repeat a few times until you have the C clip open pretty far.
6)  Rotate the pipe the opposite direction.  There should be sufficient space to get the C clip off of the exhaust pipe.

Do the same for the other side, and your exhaust is off!

To put them back on, put the wedged C clip in place, and rotate the downpipe as to open up the C clip enough to get the wedge out.  Repeat.  Done.

If the exhaust clips are going to be off for a while, it is best to take the C clips out of the wedges so they don't get stretched out.

I hope this helps, and maybe will save some of you guys some time.  Maybe someone on here could even market the things.

Garry

[BellCityDubber]

take an exhaust clamp and put the nuts on the u bolt. then put the saddle backwards on the ubolt stick in the c clamp and back the nuts off of the u bolt forcing the c clamp apart. a 1.75" or 2" clamp works

this is the way I've always done it

[CoolAirVw]

Aqui esta.

[saurkraut]

Muffler clamps are the best.  2.5"  Especiall on the TDs.  Muffler clamps fit in there better than the purpose built tools.

[Black Smokin' Diesel]

IMO using any tool and any trick in the world, it's still a PITA to do. The exhaust clam trick works good but it's a PITA to work with when removing the passenger side clamp.