This is for my 1.8t, manual shift, Quattro.

I replaced the center muffler by the cut and splice method to save the two rear mufflers. I have had trouble getting it all to line up but as of yesterday, it was lined up.

After 20 miles today, it is now out of kilter and rubbing on the driveshaft. The rear left exhaust tip is out 1/2 inch from the bumper. So, it looks like the exhaust is shifted left.

If anyone has any insight on lining the exhaust up and making it stay that way, I would appreciate your help.

Thanks,

John

 

Update - the left sleeve clamp between rear and center mufflers slips after 10 miles or so. It is a 45 mm sleeve, 3 3/4 inches long and old. I plan to get a new one, hopefully longer, and see if it holds. Meanwhile, any feedback would be appreciated.

 

a little weld would go a long way...

remember with the clamps that after driving a bit that the exhaust will heat up and diameters change. You might try to tighten the clamps while warm instead of cold and they might hold better after driving for ten minutes. You might even need to shim the clamp a little so it grips better.

I do remember when I did my exhaust that the mufflers wanted to pivot and twist at that sleeve joint from the back hanger and it took some creative balancing with a second jack to then have two hands to crank on the sleeve clamp.

Good luck.

I have my old pair of mufflers still as when my resonator and downpipe went I replaced the whole exhaust with a Borla kit. PM me if you interested at all.

 

Thank you for your comments, MKE. I am working on this slowly as it is only a priority when the exhaust shifts enough to "ding" on the driveshaft.

Through trial and error, I have figured out that the problem is the after market center muffler pipes do not line up straight with the cut off two rear muffler pipes. When loose, it lines up fine. But on tightening, it shifts the system to the right an inch at the center muffler hanger bracket which then dings on the driveshaft. When tightened one side at a time, it shifts right on each side.

My conspiracy theory is that the center muffler will line up with that vendor's rear mufflers but not with the stock VAG mufflers.

So, my next plan is to bend the rear-muffler pipes until they line up straight with the center muffler pipes.

Also, after loosening the sleeves maybe 10 times, the exhaust is noisy and I plan to replace all 3 of them.

Thoughts?