Gary Lewis Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 245/75 r16 so they're actually smaller (shorter) than stock. 10mm is only 0.4 wider than my 235/85's You going to get them on soon? I keep reading about all the snow the East Coast is getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 You going to get them on soon? I keep reading about all the snow the East Coast is getting. There's hardly any snow on the ground and it is strangely warm this week. I just hate being stuck. I need the two things I don't have. Time and Money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 There's hardly any snow on the ground and it is strangely warm this week. I just hate being stuck. I need the two things I don't have. Time and Money. Not to my truck, but to my wife's "truck" (that's what it comes up under) the 2011 Flex Limited. Yesterday when she got her hair done, and went to leave she said it sounded like someone had slipped a "fart can" on it. I listened and it definitely had an exhaust leak. I pulled it in the garage and jacked it up and found this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Not to my truck, but to my wife's "truck" (that's what it comes up under) the 2011 Flex Limited. Yesterday when she got her hair done, and went to leave she said it sounded like someone had slipped a "fart can" on it. I listened and it definitely had an exhaust leak. I pulled it in the garage and jacked it up and found this: Today, as the temperature steadily dropped (started out about 57° and is currently 36°) I was able to get it apart, second bolt snapped despite PB Blaster and lots of heat. and got it fixed. Here is the broken piece, picture isn't too good and the remaining piece in the front flange on the resonator. It's fixed now, only gasket I could find last night is a hair small, but it seals. Here is a better picture with both bolts. The left one is the one that broke on her, right one is the one that broke trying to loosen the nut. These are headless bolts with just a thin head like the flange on a flange head bolt or flange nut. They are put through the exhaust flange and welded to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 14, 2018 Author Share Posted January 14, 2018 Here is a better picture with both bolts. The left one is the one that broke on her, right one is the one that broke trying to loosen the nut. These are headless bolts with just a thin head like the flange on a flange head bolt or flange nut. They are put through the exhaust flange and welded to it. Looks like a poorly-engineered plan there, Bill. But I'm lost - if they were welded on how did you get them off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Looks like a poorly-engineered plan there, Bill. But I'm lost - if they were welded on how did you get them off? I drilled through and used bolts and nuts to reassemble it. Ford uses a lot of these on newer vehicles, they used to use bolts and nut plates (nut in a tabbed plate so it won't turn) these need only a nut put on them, and it's not the first set I've had a run in with (great niece's 2005 Escape had four at the catalytic converter to exhaust pipe joint). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 14, 2018 Author Share Posted January 14, 2018 I drilled through and used bolts and nuts to reassemble it. Ford uses a lot of these on newer vehicles, they used to use bolts and nut plates (nut in a tabbed plate so it won't turn) these need only a nut put on them, and it's not the first set I've had a run in with (great niece's 2005 Escape had four at the catalytic converter to exhaust pipe joint). Your solution makes sense. Their's doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Your solution makes sense. Their's doesn't. It makes sense from the assembly line standpoint, one less piece per side, simpler operation, possibly done by a robot. Detroit doesn't give a crap about long term serviceability, they are interested in how fast they can build them, If I had gone to the dealer or possibly even an exhaust shop, they would have wanted to replace that next section of the exhaust. A little anti-seize on the CRES nuts onto CRES studs would have gone a long way toward serviceability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 It makes sense from the assembly line standpoint, one less piece per side, simpler operation, possibly done by a robot. Detroit doesn't give a crap about long term serviceability, they are interested in how fast they can build them, If I had gone to the dealer or possibly even an exhaust shop, they would have wanted to replace that next section of the exhaust. A little anti-seize on the CRES nuts onto CRES studs would have gone a long way toward serviceability. It makes a lot of sense The gasket can hang on the studs. The opposite flange can hang on the studs. One wrench tightening the nuts from one side. Compared to trying to get the bolts in the holes. Keeping them there while the gasket and opposite flange are lined up. Using two wrenches to tighten both bolts (while they're flopping around, still loose) On a moving assembly line.... That said, I have to go down to Philly and do just what Bill did for my niece. Her Cat flange is loose and the studs are fubared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 It makes a lot of sense The gasket can hang on the studs. The opposite flange can hang on the studs. One wrench tightening the nuts from one side. Compared to trying to get the bolts in the holes. Keeping them there while the gasket and opposite flange are lined up. Using two wrenches to tighten both bolts (while they're flopping around, still loose) On a moving assembly line.... That said, I have to go down to Philly and do just what Bill did for my niece. Her Cat flange is loose and the studs are fubared. What vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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