It was necessary to destroy one of the rusted out muffler braces (left side
also, coincidence or what?) on my '87 in order to replace the corroded
muffler. Because of the obscene VW replacement cost for this brace I chose
an alternate route for replacement as well. A local metal fabricating shop
duplicated the brace using the remaining one as a template. I then got the
fabricated one galvanized locally. When the smoke finally cleared, the total
cost to me was just under $60 Cdn (compared to about $150 Cdn for VW parts).

Gosh, aren't we Vanagoneers resourceful creatures?!

Roy O.
'87 Westfalia
(till death us do part)

>Try using 3/4" flat stock steel and fabricating it yourself. You can
>completely replace all the braces for about 5 bucks and some sweat.Just
>that one brace you are looking for costs about 30 bucks or so from the
>dealer. As far as I know, there is no after market for that item.
>I relaced all mine on the '84. Works great.
>
>-steve-
>
>
> > > -- [
>From: John H. Rodgers * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] -- >
>> I need two lug nuts for my '85 GL Vanagon, and one wheel stud.  I also
need
>> the exhaust system brace that goes with an '85 GL with the 1.9L engine.
When
>> standing outside the vehicle at the rear, and looking forward, the brace
is
>> on the left side. It braces the left exhaust collector to the engine.
It's
>> about 18 inces long or so.
>>
>> Anybody???
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> '85 GL Driver
>> --
>>
>