What are flex exhaust tube used for?

[fincoon]

My car recently had a flex exhaust tube broken and it makes a loud sound like a broken muffler. It sits right under where the manifold curves down and it connects the piping/tubing all the way back to the muffler.

What are these flex tube used for anyway!!?? Does anyone know how to repair this? I really don't want to spend $1200 for the whole assembly that Toyota recommended. Are there any websites or guide that tell how to repair this? I'm thinking about welding a straight tube instead of a flex. Any help is truly appreciated.

http://www.fincoon.com/internet/flex.jpg

[toyomoho]

A flex pipe is a flexible joint. It allows for movement between exhaust pipe links that might cause cracking. Never seen one repaired. Toyota does quote high prices on these types of items.

Suggest you call a few muffler shops. Perhaps they can cut out the old joint and install a new one or a complete pipe at lower price then Toyota. A junkyard might be able to pull and ship the complete pipe, and aftermarket vendor could sell the complete pipe.

Check past TN post on this subject. Toyota does seem to be the only source on some exhaust system pipes and cat converters.

[Eye8Pussies]

as toyomoho said, the flex pipe is to keep hte exhaust from moving with the engine movement- it's generally not a good idea to replace it with a straight pipe for this reason as it would put more weight on your engine mounts when the engine moves

and an exhaust shop can take off the old flexpipe and weld on a new one for you for pretty cheap

[ghettosled]

you can get a bolt-in flex pipe section and secondary cat (i know for sure on a gen 3.5) for about $120 from catco.

[nevanerviss]

I just had this problem (thanks TN!!! ) and I went to a muffler shop here in Detroit, and got the flex pipe changed for $100; took 10 minutes... I'm sure that if you checked around at some of the muffler shops in your area you would find the same... Even if it costs you $150, it's still a whole helluva lot better than $1200 at the stealership...

[Luspher]

mine got scraped open. Part costs like $30 if i recall, my total bill was for something like $67 and that was for a half hours labor. You'll probably get charged an hours labor at any regular shop though, so expect to spend in the range og $90 to $120 , $120 would be in a pricier shop with parts markup. All that's to it is cutting out the old flex pipe and welding in another. But as it was already stated, it's not something you can repair. Glue will stiffen it, and covering it with a straight pipe will destroy your exhaust manifold. You hit a bump, your engine moves without the muffler. Something will break. flex pipe gives it that necessary play. Good luck getting it fixed, not worth replacing the entire exhaust.

[Camryamnesty]

Discount auto parts sells flex pipe for like 10 bux, just cut off the old pipe use the included clamps to hold it on. It will save you alot of money on parts and labor, but i am not sure how well it will seal and what not.

[profuse007]

go to a local muffler shop or check yellowpages.com for one. call them up and ask for price quote. i think its a 2.25" flex pipe, and tell them like you know muffler, so you dont get jipped.

i got mine replaced for 75+tax, and it sounds so much quieter.

[gfoiboy]

I have the same issue with the flex section on my '96 Avalon XLS, with the added wrinkle that it is CA emissions and the entire exhaust system is one unit and needs to be totally replaced. The local muffler shop told me the exhaust was available from the dealer only and would cost $1750 to replace. Anyone know what the dimensions of the flex pipe is and where I could get it online? I have searched everywhere with no luck. Any help is appreciated.