MOT ramblings and other matters

[mjb]

Corroded strap around back box = exhaust not secure!
Corroded hook on middle section of exhaust, (advisory)

Independant quoted me about £300 to change middle & rear sections of exhaust,

The hook's something like a coathanger hook, except with ~3/8" diameter metal. That can't be corroded that much other than the inevitable surface rust.

I don't think there should be a strap around the back box. Every 406 back box I've seen has a pair of hooks which are held to a pair of hooks on the body by big rubber mounts. Sounds like the last exhaust was a bit dodgy A bent coathanger should make it secure enough for the MOT surely?

In any case Kwik-sh*t can fit a new centre+rear for about £150, although I'd avoid those prats if possible. Definitely avoid the online place I used to get a V6 centre+rear for about £80 though - damn thing didn't fit and ended up melting a nice big hole in my bumper

[Welly]

Unless the 2.2 is completely different then a middle section is £90.00 fitted an I got a back box fitted for £58.00 recently (although by the sound of it it's completely empty like a metal tin ).

Leave the middle section if it's not leaking.

Never heard of any 'strap' on the back box though

[HimBigChief]

My 2.1TD has just had a new backbox, and it did have the strap around it. The backbox was £38 or so from GSF and fits spot on. The middle section is about £60 I think and they are both easy enough to fit. Just make sure you get new clamps as you're liable to snap the old bolts or bend the old clamp out of shape. Pads are easy enough and cheap too, so I reckon you could do it yourself for £100 or thereabouts using pattern parts.

[Doggy]

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions people. I've had it up on a hoist & looked properly. It's the original back box, the strap is used to locate one of the two hooks to the box, (suspect the skin's not thick enough to weld to). TBH it looks like the box will have a hole in it soon, so I'm thinking to change at least this bit.
Maybe I'm thick, but I can't seem to access any prices on ServiceBox, (though I'm sure I managed it previously), but I believe the OE version is in the £190 - £250 area
I've looked on GSF, they don't list the 2.2, same with Pugspares.
I then compared the various models on ServiceBox to see what elase has the same box - looks like D8 DW10ATED's (I assume that's an HDi 110)? and D9 DW10ATED's have one of the two mine could be (E12899C), but mine might also be a 1726JH, which is unique to the HDi 136

Definitely avoid the online place I used to get a V6 centre+rear for about £80 though - damn thing didn't fit and ended up melting a nice big hole in my bumper

Was this the place to avoid, please Matt? If not, I think I'll try them, as it appears I can get the whole shebang for under £90.
Any other suggestions gratefully received....

* takes cover *

[Welly]

I seem to remember the 2.0 HPi is a pig to get exhausts for? maybe the rare models are (the 2.2 HDi's not that common really).

I'd get ringing around the usual local exhaust places and some independants and ask for a good make like Bosal.

To be honest the exhaust boxes and pipework seem to last ok but it's the hanger positions that rot. We should be using high temperature paint at all the exposed points really for protection.

[DaiRees]

I seem to remember the 2.0 HPi is a pig to get exhausts for?

Just couldn't get one without going to the stealer and handing over the keys to your house, hence why mine has the stainless sytem. Mind you that was years ago when the model was still pretty new...

[mjb]

Was this the place to avoid, please Matt? If not, I think I'll try them, as it appears I can get the whole shebang for under £90.

That's them

Took me about 4 hours to just get the thing on the car because nothing lined up. As it is, I've still only got half the ground clearance I should have because the centre section had to be put in at a slant to avoid the back box being in the boot...

Once I've got a new house sorted I think I'll treat it to a decent exhaust system, hopefully one that doesn't cause the neighbours to stare at me in disgust (ok ok so it woke them up, deal with it...)

[Welly]

Why's your eggsauce loud? it's new isn't it?

[mjb]

it's because it's cheap bargain basement crap! Wouldn't surprise me if you cut open the silencers and just found a bit of rolled up chicken wire or something

[Welly]

I was following a Ford Fezza once and saw it squeeze out a huge ball of sound wadding from inside the back box - quite funny it was

I've seen others too with like 'hair' coming out the back

carry on.......

[steve_earwig]

Probably packed with glass fibre to quieten it down a little.

[Doggy]

Was this the place to avoid, please Matt? If not, I think I'll try them, as it appears I can get the whole shebang for under £90.

That's them

Thought it was too good to be true, appreciate your help

[Doggy]

Right! managed to get some sense out of ServiceShocks at last:
00001717L6 EXHAUST PIPE 114.08 GBP
00001726JH REAR SILENCER 146.27 GBP
0000171369 FIXING CLAMP 3.84 GBP
0000171352 FIXING CLAMP 8.50 GBP
0000425132 4 BRAKE PADS/F 48.33 GBP
Clearly Stealers aren't yer best bet value wise, (this is the original exhaust, it's done over 6 years/100K which was the only reason I looked).
Anybody had a custom stainless job made / know where to try / how long they take? from the cat back it's only 2 sections, like this
Front pads appear to be the same as 110 Hdi/Hpi/2.0 16V etc - any recommendations?

[HimBigChief]

You could try Powerflow for stainless custom exhausts. They have outlets all over the country and can do pretty much anything you want both sound and visual wise. Usually about £200 - £250 for a cat-back system and takes them a couple of hours to knock up and fit.

[Doggy]

Thanks for the info - I'll check it out