In a message dated 11/11/02 9:59:41 AM Pacific Standard Time,
hkellogg@BSU.EDU writes:

<< I have a 1985 Westy that had an exhaust system installed about two years
ago. I have since developed a loud sound and have determined that the upper
exhaust stud on the passenger side (front) port is missing. It appears to
have been broken off; maybe during the installation of the exhaust system.

 What I would like to know is if this can be easily fixed i.e. the old stud
removed a new exhaust gasket installed and the whole think bolted back on.
Will I need to drop the engine? Can I take it to an exhaust shop and have
them take care of something like this? >>

Hans,

It's too bad it's not Friday so I can't joke about breaking an exhausted
stud. :)

Anyway, I personally think it's not worth the hassle to crawl under my
Vanagon to replace a broken stud if I can get my local VW shop to do it. In
my case I found a place in San Francisco which does it for about and hours
worth of labor. Well, worth not having all those rust bits falling all over
my face. It's easier to when the vehicle is up on a hoist. Nearly impossible
on your back w/ only jack stands. The tricky part is drilling the stud for a
screw extraction tool like an easy-out. Then you end up breaking things if
you take the other nuts off to make some room for working on it. Oh yeah,
this is assuming you don't want to take the engine out.

BenT
 <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/index.html">Vanagon
Cafe</A>