I've seen these flexible stainless mesh exhaust pipe sections, at a local parts
store that specializes in import cars. Certainly a muffler shop has um?  Joel
Hembel

Rob & Lrae Winterkorn wrote:

> I experienced the same situation with my 1.8 GTI powered 84, every 3-6 months
> some part of the exhaust needed attention.
> usually a stress crack. Until I welded in a stainless steel braided flexible
> section that I found  at the junk yard. They are
>
> Frank Grunthaner wrote:
>
> > David,
> >
> > Your comment about hard mounting the exhaust and muffler to the engine "so it
> > can't vibrate" runs completely counter to my experience. The first three
> > muffler systems my muffler shop put on were hard mounted at their insistence.
> > Each cracked and broke at one or more weld joints. I'm now on my fourth
> > muffler system and upgraded lower level rubber hangers to thick double sided
> > truck versions to damp vibrations. I paid for one and a half of these exhaust
> > systems and have more than 1.5 years on the current system with no problems.
> > BTW this is a very professional shop with extensive VW racing experience - in
> > other words, the vibration broke the joint at the carbon denuded side (edge
> > of pipe at the weld).
> >
> > Frank Grunthaner
>
> on most any Japanese car.
>
> Rob
>
> Frank Grunthaner wrote:
>
> > David,
> >
> > Your comment about hard mounting the exhaust and muffler to the engine "so it
> > can't vibrate" runs completely counter to my experience. The first three
> > muffler systems my muffler shop put on were hard mounted at their insistence.
> > Each cracked and broke at one or more weld joints. I'm now on my fourth
> > muffler system and upgraded lower level rubber hangers to thick double sided
> > truck versions to damp vibrations. I paid for one and a half of these exhaust
> > systems and have more than 1.5 years on the current system with no problems.
> > BTW this is a very professional shop with extensive VW racing experience - in
> > other words, the vibration broke the joint at the carbon denuded side (edge
> > of pipe at the weld).
> >
> > Frank Grunthaner