I know this isn't really a car newsgroup, but was hoping someone here might
be able to help.

Got an older Ford Focus (2000 model or thereabouts) Whilst underneath the
car today, I found that there's a bar, support bracket (call it what you
will) welded onto the central section of the exhaust (think its the
catalytic converter) which helps support the exhaust system.

Trouble is, one side of the bar has rusted off and is hanging loose. The
other side is hanging on by a very rusty thread (Ive uploaded a pic to some
webspace, see link below...)

http://tinyurl.com/gr2qzpp

I don't suppose there's a repair clamp available that could replace this, or
is it a case of paying the local garage to knock something up and weld it
on?

Having done a cursory google search, I've failed to turn up anything
particularly helpful on how to repair this.

Thanks in advance


--
Best Wishes
Simon Taylor

On 8/31/2016 9:51 PM, Simon T wrote:
I know this isn't really a car newsgroup, but was hoping someone here
might be able to help.

Got an older Ford Focus (2000 model or thereabouts) Whilst underneath
the car today, I found that there's a bar, support bracket (call it what
you will) welded onto the central section of the exhaust (think its the
catalytic converter) which helps support the exhaust system.

Trouble is, one side of the bar has rusted off and is hanging loose. The
other side is hanging on by a very rusty thread (Ive uploaded a pic to
some webspace, see link below...)

http://tinyurl.com/gr2qzpp

I don't suppose there's a repair clamp available that could replace
this, or is it a case of paying the local garage to knock something up
and weld it on?

Having done a cursory google search, I've failed to turn up anything
particularly helpful on how to repair this.

Thanks in advance


It's a failed weld, the hanger bar is still there. I'd have thought that
a *good* garage or exhaust centre would be able to weld it back
satisfactorily. They might actually replace the two sides with a single
piece of bar.

It's not a simple one to fudge yourself, but if you can bend some steel
strip you could put a standard U-bolt type exhaust clamp around the
pipe, attach the bent strip to the clamp, and poke the end back into the
rubber hanger. But you need to bend and twist the strip to the right
shape, ideally using standard blacksmith techniques.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U-BOLT-HEA... SQS-EJ4noi7qg

On 31/08/2016 21:51, Simon T wrote:
I know this isn't really a car newsgroup, but was hoping someone here
might be able to help.

Got an older Ford Focus (2000 model or thereabouts) Whilst underneath
the car today, I found that there's a bar, support bracket (call it what
you will) welded onto the central section of the exhaust (think its the
catalytic converter) which helps support the exhaust system.

Trouble is, one side of the bar has rusted off and is hanging loose. The
other side is hanging on by a very rusty thread (Ive uploaded a pic to
some webspace, see link below...)

http://tinyurl.com/gr2qzpp

I don't suppose there's a repair clamp available that could replace
this, or is it a case of paying the local garage to knock something up
and weld it on?

Having done a cursory google search, I've failed to turn up anything
particularly helpful on how to repair this.

Thanks in advance




Snap - 2001 ford focus.

I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to
weld to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.

I bodged up a DIY bracket.

One of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Exhaust-clamps-Auto-U-Bolt-aerial-clamps-BZP-hose-clamps-29-102mm-/200968893242?var=&hash=item2ecaadf33a:m:m-ac6GcCSy5qKbktd06o3Pg


around the pipe and bolted to
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METAL-EXHAUST-HANGER-STRAP-24-600MM-LONG-HEAVY-DUTY-PERFORATED-METAL-STRIP-/152049512305?hash=item2366db6f71:g:jOEAAOSwIwhWS00 V

which was bent at both ends so that the holes lined up with the holes
in the rubber mounts. Any excess length cut off. Metal bent by placing
the bar in a vice at the bend line and hitting it with a hammer. Make a
cardboard template to get required size and angles.

On each side a coach bolt through the rubber mount and through a hole in
the bar and held at the bar end with a nylon insert nut (locking nuts).
An half inch or so of the coach bolts are free to move in the rubber
mounts - in much the same way as the original metal studs.

Luckily my local independent family run hardware store had the majority
of the items - in a shop where you wander around and pick the items out
of the bins - and where you can buy one offs and nails etc. by weight.

Complete PITA and you need the car on ramps or similar to gain enough
access.




--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 8/31/2016 11:02 PM, alan_m wrote:
On 31/08/2016 21:51, Simon T wrote:
I know this isn't really a car newsgroup, but was hoping someone here
might be able to help.

Got an older Ford Focus (2000 model or thereabouts) Whilst underneath
the car today, I found that there's a bar, support bracket (call it what
you will) welded onto the central section of the exhaust (think its the
catalytic converter) which helps support the exhaust system.

Trouble is, one side of the bar has rusted off and is hanging loose. The
other side is hanging on by a very rusty thread (Ive uploaded a pic to
some webspace, see link below...)

http://tinyurl.com/gr2qzpp

I don't suppose there's a repair clamp available that could replace
this, or is it a case of paying the local garage to knock something up
and weld it on?

Having done a cursory google search, I've failed to turn up anything
particularly helpful on how to repair this.

Thanks in advance




Snap - 2001 ford focus.

I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to
weld to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.

I bodged up a DIY bracket.

One of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Exhaust-clamps-Auto-U-Bolt-aerial-clamps-BZP-hose-clamps-29-102mm-/200968893242?var=&hash=item2ecaadf33a:m:m-ac6GcCSy5qKbktd06o3Pg


around the pipe and bolted to
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METAL-EXHAUST-HANGER-STRAP-24-600MM-LONG-HEAVY-DUTY-PERFORATED-METAL-STRIP-/152049512305?hash=item2366db6f71:g:jOEAAOSwIwhWS00 V


which was bent at both ends so that the holes lined up with the holes
in the rubber mounts. Any excess length cut off. Metal bent by placing
the bar in a vice at the bend line and hitting it with a hammer. Make a
cardboard template to get required size and angles.

On each side a coach bolt through the rubber mount and through a hole in
the bar and held at the bar end with a nylon insert nut (locking nuts).
An half inch or so of the coach bolts are free to move in the rubber
mounts - in much the same way as the original metal studs.

Luckily my local independent family run hardware store had the majority
of the items - in a shop where you wander around and pick the items out
of the bins - and where you can buy one offs and nails etc. by weight.

Complete PITA and you need the car on ramps or similar to gain enough
access.




Great minds think alike!

alan_m wrote:
Complete PITA and you need the car on ramps or similar to gain enough
access.

Unless you're doing this yourself from bits you already have, I suspect just
putting in a new cat is going to be easier and cheaper:

Randomly selected example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS...-/141604470993

Theo

On 9/1/2016 1:09 PM, Theo wrote:
alan_m wrote:
Complete PITA and you need the car on ramps or similar to gain enough
access.

Unless you're doing this yourself from bits you already have, I suspect just
putting in a new cat is going to be easier and cheaper:

Randomly selected example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS...-/141604470993

Theo

I was surprised how reasonable that price is. Don't think I have
replaced a Cat yet.

"alan_m" wrote in message ...

Snap - 2001 ford focus.
I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to weld
to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Thanks for that, I'll do a temporary bodge with some coat hanger wire or
something to get me by, whilst I see about procuring the parts you
suggested. :-)


--
Best Wishes
Simon Taylor

On Thursday, 1 September 2016 20:16:32 UTC+1, Simon T wrote:
"alan_m" wrote in message ...

Snap - 2001 ford focus.
I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to weld
to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Thanks for that, I'll do a temporary bodge with some coat hanger wire or
something to get me by, whilst I see about procuring the parts you
suggested. :-)

Coathanger exhaust fixes tend to be permanent in my world. Rubber loops might reduce noise some but they're hopeless reliability wise. Bull over substance as always.


NT

On 9/1/2016 11:29 PM, wrote:
On Thursday, 1 September 2016 20:16:32 UTC+1, Simon T wrote:
"alan_m" wrote in message ...

Snap - 2001 ford focus.
I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to weld
to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Thanks for that, I'll do a temporary bodge with some coat hanger wire or
something to get me by, whilst I see about procuring the parts you
suggested. :-)

Coathanger exhaust fixes tend to be permanent in my world. Rubber loops might reduce noise some but they're hopeless reliability wise. Bull over substance as always.


NT


The rubber loop is there to prevent *fatigue* of the steel hangers.

On Friday, 2 September 2016 18:14:00 UTC+1, newshound wrote:
On 9/1/2016 11:29 PM, tabbypurr wrote:
On Thursday, 1 September 2016 20:16:32 UTC+1, Simon T wrote:
"alan_m" wrote in message ...

Snap - 2001 ford focus.
I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to weld
to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Thanks for that, I'll do a temporary bodge with some coat hanger wire or
something to get me by, whilst I see about procuring the parts you
suggested. :-)

Coathanger exhaust fixes tend to be permanent in my world. Rubber loops might reduce noise some but they're hopeless reliability wise. Bull over substance as always.

The rubber loop is there to prevent *fatigue* of the steel hangers.

If it causes more failures than it prevents it's counterproductive. The last car had them, and once I replaced the rubber bands with wire there were no more problems.


NT

"alan_m" wrote in message ...
Snap - 2001 ford focus.

I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to weld
to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Quick update.

THANKYOU for the advice, exhaust is now fixed

http://tinyurl.com/zo6vwsx

Had to grind off the remnants of the existing bracket first mind, but it's
done now and no more annoying rattles at start up!

Thanks again!

:-)


--
Best Wishes
Simon Taylor

On 07/09/16 17:37, Simon T wrote:
"alan_m" wrote in message ...
Snap - 2001 ford focus.

I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to
weld to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Quick update.

THANKYOU for the advice, exhaust is now fixed

http://tinyurl.com/zo6vwsx

Had to grind off the remnants of the existing bracket first mind, but
it's done now and no more annoying rattles at start up!

Thanks again!

:-)


Neat enough job really.


--
"I am inclined to tell the truth and dislike people who lie consistently.
This makes me unfit for the company of people of a Left persuasion, and
all women"

On 9/7/2016 5:37 PM, Simon T wrote:
"alan_m" wrote in message ...
Snap - 2001 ford focus.

I couldn't find and suitable bracket and 2 off garages didn't want to
weld to the back of the cat, or didn't want the job.
I bodged up a DIY bracket.


Quick update.

THANKYOU for the advice, exhaust is now fixed

http://tinyurl.com/zo6vwsx

Had to grind off the remnants of the existing bracket first mind, but
it's done now and no more annoying rattles at start up!

Thanks again!

:-)


Very neat!

In article ,
Simon T wrote:
Got an older Ford Focus (2000 model or thereabouts) Whilst underneath
the car today, I found that there's a bar, support bracket (call it
what you will) welded onto the central section of the exhaust (think
its the catalytic converter) which helps support the exhaust system.


Cats. are normally close to the engine as they need to heat up quickly.
Sure it's not just a silencer?

--
*Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.