Citroen XM Forum

__Not that I am planning this___

Just wondering, why could this joint not be replaced with one of the modern woven SS Flexi-Joints ?

Not likely to be a fit, but the 2.5 (also cat'd) has one of these as OE - but then the power unit has a good bit of fwd-aft movement designed-in.

White Exec wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:20 am Not likely to be a fit, but the 2.5 (also cat'd) has one of these as OE - but then the power unit has a good bit of fwd-aft movement designed-in.

haha I put this same comment on alasdairs Facebook page about the same thing..

but correct it's a very different connection. the 2.5 uses circular clamp instead of the two spring bolt types.

This is what I have on the exhaust/cat pipe join to the downpipe.
As you can see the "cup" is separate from the pipe...but pushed (tight) in perfectly to the ring of machine weld 1+1/2 cm down the pipe.

It should re-weld just fine.

Can you arrange some anti-swivel for either the bolt heads or the nuts, so you don't have to grapple with both at the same time?
Presumably a socket from underneath is easiest?
Sorry, I don't know the engine well.

White Exec wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 8:37 pm Can you arrange some anti-swivel for either the bolt heads or the nuts, so you don't have to grapple with both at the same time?
Presumably a socket from underneath is easiest?
Sorry, I don't know the engine well.

One could weld a bar onto the head of the bolt so that it rests against the exhaust downpipe when in situ, but I suspect the bolts tend to rotate in use, so there could be a risk of the nut trying to undo itself.

The proper bolts are shanked and come apart readily,unless very corroded.

The bolt should be fed in from front to rear, with access to the nut via a long extension fed up by the exhaust.

Stickfinger wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 8:10 pm This is what I have on the exhaust/cat pipe join to the downpipe.
As you can see the "cup" is separate from the pipe...but pushed (tight) in perfectly to the ring of machine weld 1+1/2 cm down the pipe.

It should re-weld just fine.


20210424_151655.jpg

20210424_151707.jpg

That all appears in good condition, so it's strange that it has broken.
I wonder if the wrong bolts has transferred strain to the weld, instead of allowing the ball and cup to swivel.
Unless there is a clear witness of the exact position, I would fit the exhaust before tacking the cup back on, to ensure alignment.

Is that the original exhaust?

Exhaust fitting kit.

https://34.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/city ... -p.png?v=1

The bolts should pass through the cups, which fit into the manifold flange, then through the pipe flange, the washers, springs, cup washers and nuts.

Did you undo the nuts and bolts from inside the engine bay, if so, no wonder you struggled.
I'm surprised you gained any access to the nuts, even with the modified spanner.

The correct fitting KIT has been ordered.
I am pleasantly surprised by how clean the weld failure is and easy it makes it for repair....
I will replace the cat/pipe and mark the correct aliment for the "cup" before welding.

Access, LONG ARMS

This fun with manifold flange nuts goes right back to the original Mini, iirc.
I used to insert a length of steel tube (as internal sleeving) through that bell-joint, to prevent leakage. Nothing flexible on that one.

That is that out then.....