Flex Pipe / Front Exhaust Pipe

[Kriis]

Hi,

I have a 97 4-cyl Camry CE with about 178k km on it.

As a result of hearing loud noises recently, I found out that my flex pipe is cracked.

I went to one mechanic who said that you could just replace the flex pipe and weld it on, but he doesn't do that. So the entire front exhaust pipe (the catalytic convertor is connected to it) has to be replaced.

I went to a muffler shop and they said that they could replace the flex pipe but he said it is a double-wall pipe and it would only result in loud rattling. Is this true? He advised getting the entire front exhuast pipe replaced.

If anyone could help me with this, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

[RickMN]

If you plan on keeping the car, replace the whole pipe. Anything else if Mickey Mouse.

[Kriis]

The front exhaust pipe plus labour will be about $650 cdn
Flex pipe with labour will be aboute $250 cdn.

You still think I should get the whole thing replaced eventhough only the flex pipe is cracked?

[Mike Gerber]

Try another independent muffler shop. Cutting out and replacing/rewelding just that flexpipe section is a common repair for this part. It should run about $150 US.

Mike

[RickMN]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-01...QQcmdZViewItem

[eljimbo]

I have a similar problem but on a 2000 4-Cyl Camry. I was quoted at $1000 to replace the entire "front pipe" section. Does this sound a little much for this type of replacement?

[Sniperdude]

Yes, it's far too much.

Go to a small time exhaust shop.

They'll hack it off and weld a new one on... I paid 75 bucks.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by Sniperdude

Yes, it's far too much.

Go to a small time exhaust shop.

They'll hack it off and weld a new one on... I paid 75 bucks.

Sniperdude,

Where did you have it done for $75. My local independant muffler shop has always been pretty cheap and he wants $125 for this job. He's in Arlington Heights.

Mike

[drunken_panda]

On our Previa, it was $150 to weld a new aftermarket unit on. At Johnny Muffler in Santa Rosa.

[99lecamry]

i had just got mine done but i needed to get a new front pipe gasket and a uni flex pipe everything cost $170 at a local custom exhaust place out here

[Sniperdude]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Sniperdude,

Where did you have it done for $75. My local independant muffler shop has always been pretty cheap and he wants $125 for this job. He's in Arlington Heights.

Mike

I had it done last year at this place called Cermak Muffler, it's on Cermak Road. It's located between Cicero and Chicago... I can get the exact address for you tonight, I have the card at home.

[ryan4321]

my '99 camry has sounded bad lately. I had a look at the exhaust and it looks like there are some tears in the woven-looking thing... is that the catalytic converter? here's a hi-res picture.

the rest of the exhaust is rusted but everything looks reasonably solid except for the tears you can see in the photo. It has 104K miles on it.

[Kevs Toy]

That woven piece is your flex pipe and what this thread's author is talking about. It basically allows your exhaust to move under load so it has some give otherwise you'd be breaking sections all the time. I had to replace mine just a lil bit ago and lucked out and found a whole JPP y pipe for sale so just went that route.

[jungleson]

I just changed out mine on a 92 4 cyl w/CA emissions. I bought the whole flex pipe with cat for $185.95. The part is made by bosal. A OEM from toyota would have cost me $736.

[eyeball96]

I just had the flex pipe repaired on the Daughters 96 4cyl...80 bucks...Midas wanted $650 for the entire pipe replacement!