The spring washers were cupped together in a short stack. A stack of the
wave style lock washers will also work. The real problem here is the flanges
on the j-pipe deforming causing the connection to become loose.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Mike B
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 8:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 exhaust spring washers

Volks,
   Does anyone have a picture or description of  how the 2.1 exhaust
system donut gaskets hardware as it was originally installed?   I looked
at the Bentley manual, and ETKA and found that the forward end of the
connector pipe (where it meets the Y cast elbow) is supposed to have 65mm
long bolts, 5 spring washers and 1 thick flat washer and a
high-temp lock-nut.   The 5 spring washers are called diaphragm washers
, also known as Belleville washers, which are basically cupped steel
washers.   I need to know if the cups all nest together in a short stack
or alternate against each other in a long stack.   The lock-nut
obviously must have a specific torque and along with the spring washers,
will this maintain a snug fit that can flex by use of a steady clamping
force on the donuts and pipe flares.  The Bentley does not specify a torque
value, so I'm assuming standard torque values.
   I'm not interested in hearing how no-one ever does this and how yours has
been just fine without the spring washers.
   I'm looking for the correct information, so I can set mine up exactly the
way that the factory engineered it.
   I've experienced multiple joint failures due to them being assembled for
years without these spring washers.  Now that I know why it's not lasting
and have new parts, I want to do it right, as original.

Thanks for any assistance.
Mike B.