In a message dated 09/08/2005 3:22:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

>  Tabe & Malcolm, the STEBRO muffler brackets  have now been modified  and
new
> ones are being sent out to customers who have broken  ones.

Still costs me money or PITA time to fuss with this "lifetime"  muffler.

> However, it has been our conclusion that there is some  fault with the
vehicle that these
> mufflers are installed on that is  causing the cracking.

There is plenty 'wrong' with my van van but  nothing that would break these
brackets. The Midas guy
who welded the  brackets back on, mentioned how thin he thought the brakcets
were.

>  We do know that stainless steel is more brittle and suseptible to
cracking especially when
> undue stress is present from improper  mounting of the muffler.

If my muffler was IMPROPERLY MOUNTED, then my  beef is with you Frank, as
YOU! mounted the muffler.

> Also, undue  vibrations from improperly running engines and or worn/broken
motor and  or
> transmission mounts.  Please verify that all of these  conditions have been
properly met.

Several times I have had mechanics  marvel at how smoothly my van idles and
how smoothly it  runs.

Well, that still does not explain the vast majority  of the muffler do not
break their brackets.  Mine never has in seven  years.  Neither the one on my
CARAT.  That said all mufflers now  coming from STEBRO have much heavier
brackets on them.  These new brackets  are the ones being sent out or replaced on
units that go back for warranty.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel  Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or http://frankcondelli.com
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12,  2005