Michael--

This is a bad idea (swapping out to bolts because you don't have the
proper tool to install the clamps). The clamps and the associated 'ball
& socket' exhaust joint provide an exceptional degree of movement for
the motor without deflection of the exhaust.

This isn't something VW thought was irrelevant because if you firmly
bolt the entire exhaust to the manifold, your tiny exhaust studs now
must do the duty of moving a HUGE mass (the rest of exhaust/muffler)
with every motor vibration (countless). If you can't buy the tool, use
C-clamps to attach the manifold long enough to limp to the dealer to
have the real ones installed.

Bringing your ideas to life,
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
AIM = IExplain4u
Phone: +1.919.658.1278

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Jeff Strickrott
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2002 12:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: More Rabbit expertise needed

Hi Michael:

My 79 Rabbit had the nice bolts, but the 85 Jetta had these clamps. When
I ran
into this problem I had the local Midas shop change out the clamps. Of
course I
was just replacing the clamps as one was about to go.

Maybe you can work something out with them?

Just my 2 cents.

By the way the Auto Zone around here will lend out tools for free. You
might
want to call if they have that tool?

Regards,
--Jeff Strickrott
82 Westy, South Florida

Michael Brenner wrote:

> To All,
>
> I had so much help last time, thanks Simon and others who responded,
that I
> thought I'd give it another go.
> Working on my 86 Cabriolet, and I'm trying to connect the exhaust
manifold
> to the exhaust. Most normal cars do this by way of a nut and bolt
> arrangement. However this car does by way of large metal  "C" spring
clips,
> with holes on the inside (for some purpose that is beyond me). After
trying
> for over an hour as to figure out how to get these on, I thought I'd
turn to
> "the list" to see if anyone else has ever put these back on and what
is the
> proper way of doing so. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Mike Brenner
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "DaveC" <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 5:02 PM
> Subject: Re: changing girlfriend's oil
>
> > You mean her Oil of Olay? To corn oil?
> >
> > (It's *almost* Friday, isn't it?)
> >
> > Dave
> > --
> > Dave Carpenter
> >
> > "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
> > magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
> >