About 3 months ago I replaced the y-pipe.  When I took the old one off,
there were no "bolts with a big washer and 5 diaphragm springs" (on either
side of the metal "donut" gasket) like it shows in the bentley.  I never
thought it mattered, so I just replaced the regular ones that were on in
the first place.

Now my rear crossover pipe is cracked off at the flange on the cylinder
head.  I asked at the dealer about the spring and washer setup and they
said that parts were unavailable and that they weren't necessary anyway.

I have a new crossover pipe I am about to put on, but I don't want it to
crack in a couple of months.

Is the amount of play that the springs allow enough to cause stress that
will eventually break off my pipe?  Should I worry or what should I use to
bolt it together?

Thanks ahead
Gary Thaxter

74 transporter panel
78 westy
85 kombi
86 syncro