calteg
calteg New Reader
12/19/10 4:39 p.m.

In my infinite wisdom, decided to put a 4" straight exhaust on the Ram last month. Went to go put a resonator on it this afternoon, and I can't get the berkeleying thing apart. Tried hammering, lubing, shucking, jiving, pulling and pleading...to no avail. Any clever ideas that will keep the sections of the exhaust intact?

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
12/19/10 4:45 p.m.

Heat. Lots of it.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand SonDork
12/19/10 4:49 p.m.

How's it connected? Is it a slip joint? You could try welding a piece of scrap on each side of the joint and prying them apart.

calteg
calteg New Reader
12/19/10 5:00 p.m.
Tom Suddard wrote: How's it connected? Is it a slip joint? You could try welding a piece of scrap on each side of the joint and prying them apart.

Yeah, sectional exhaust with slip joints, u-bolt hangers that tighten down and presumably "crimp" the section together. I foresaw this and only hand tightened the hanger, but I'm assuming thermal expansion/contraction has got the sections cozied up

triumph5
triumph5 Dork
12/19/10 5:08 p.m.

Break out the drill and wire brush, get the "joint" clean, heat, cool, heat again, then add generous amounts of penetrating fluid. (PB Blaster, personally) Then tap, tap, lightly all around the slip joint, and let it sit and cool.

The heat should draw the penentrant in as it cools, lubing the joint. Grab a large pair of channel locks and try to twist the pipe. If you can, you're home free. It'll come off. If not, get the saw.

T.J.
T.J. SuperDork
12/19/10 5:17 p.m.

Don't you need to cut out a section anyway to add the resonator?

calteg
calteg New Reader
12/19/10 5:27 p.m.
T.J. wrote: Don't you need to cut out a section anyway to add the resonator?

Exhaust is sectional. Currently downpipe->straight pipe->straight pipe->90* bend. Trying to replace one of the straight sections with the resonator. Sounds like I need to make friends with someone with a torch

triumph5
triumph5 Dork
12/19/10 5:32 p.m.

Benzomatic/propane torch should work fine. If you don't own one, you now have an excuse for a stocking stuffer.

WilberM3
WilberM3 HalfDork
12/19/10 5:39 p.m.

^ ^ ^ this

MAPP too and its a little hotter so its great for applications where more heat's needed. though your exhaust is thin enough that propane ought to work fine too.

the mapp/propane torch i have was less than $25 with a tank and i havent finished it after years.

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