Anyone have issues with their flanges not fitting? I wacked my exhaust system during a sharp right turn and started to smell exhaust fumes. I figured I cracked the pipe on the underside so wanted to take a look at it. I went to remove my system (a shop installed Patriot 2 into 1) and had a real difficult time getting it off. I suspected that the exhaust studs may Have been bent, so removed them. Sure enough two were bent. Ordered some new ones. They went in nice and straight. The studs are bottomed out. I went to put on my exhaust (I did crack it and had it welded up), but found that even with new studs the flanges don't want to fit. The bottom portion hit my top cylinder fins. A shop installed the exhaust system. Could they have used the incorrect flange and just jammed them in? Do they make different size flanges?

 

I'm pretty sure they're all the same. It's just a matter of getting everything lined just right. You know the old routine: tongue twisted upside down between your teeth, left hand behind your back, standing on your right foot only.

 

I think you also bent your pipe.It shouldn't be that difficult to refit the pipe.That was a hard hit.The weld shrinks when it cools from molten metal perhaps kinking at the welded joint.If you have a sturdy bench vice you might be able to straighten the pipe by hand-good luck.

 

Yeah, I'm starting to think the pipe is slightly out of alignment.

 

Over tightening can also bend the flange and retaining rings, So can a good whack just falling over. You might want to get new ones. Not expensive.

 

Some pics would help, but I think she's bent...they should align.