How to Repair a Broken Exhaust Pipe

Exhaust pipes help maintain your engine.

Your exhaust system allows for the escape of exhaust gases from your car as efficiently as possible. By helping your car "breathe," the exhaust system gets rid of the waste from burnt fuel, allowing your car to burn new, clean fuel and maintain maximum power. A broken exhaust pipe will slow and weaken this process, making your car less efficient overall. You can temporarily fix your own exhaust pipe, but you will eventually have to get it welded back on or replaced at an auto shop.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Jack
• 2 jack stands
• Cardboard or mat
• Metal pipe cutter
• Socket wrench
• Adapter
• Black permanent marker
• 2 U bolts

Instructions

1. Jack up the front of your car with a car jack. Place two jack stands underneath the car for extra support in holding up the car. Jack the car up as high as possible.

2. Lay cardboard or another type of mat underneath the exhaust pipe for back support. Remove the old exhaust. If it is bent, or hanging off, you may be able to cut it free with a metal pipe cutting tool. If not, loosen it by unbolting the exhaust from the tailpipe with a socket wrench. Pull it free when it becomes loose.

3. Cut the pipe to fit your adapter with your metal pipe cutter. This measurement will vary, depending on which adapter you have. Measure the recommended cuts out exactly, mark them with a black permanent marker, and then measure again before cutting. If you cut too short, you may have no choice but to fix your exhaust at a professional repair shop.

4. Put the two adapter pieces together and slide them onto the pipe you just cut. When the two pieces of the adapter are connected, one side will be longer. The longer side connects back underneath the car on the driver's side.

5. Place the adapters and pipe back in the proper position underneath the car. Secure the adapters in place with U bolts, one on each side.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear goggles when operating tools underneath a car. A metal pipe cutter can produce metal flakes that can injure your eyes.

References

• "Chilton's Auto Repair Manual 1993-1997"; Chilton Book Company; 1996